2017 Palmer
By Chateau Palmer
2017 Palmer from Château Palmer, Margaux, Bordeaux
The 2017 vintage from the iconic Château Palmer houses a particularly distinguished expression of Margaux terroir. In a year where frost nipped at the heels of Bordeaux, sparing selectively but with a stern grip, the 2017 Palmer emerged with aplomb, a testament to meticulous vineyard husbandry and astute winemaking.
The Prodigy of Perseverance
The 2017 offering from Château Palmer does not merely echo the resilient spirit of the vintage; it narrates the saga of its triumph. In lesser hands, such climatic challenges might have culminated in a middling yield, yet here we are presented with a libation that gleefully dances on the palate, radiating the sort of sophistication and balance one would expect of more clement years.
Pedigree and Poise: Investment-Worthy Credentials
While an early harvest often signals a knee-jerk reaction to unforeseen weather woes, the 2017 Palmer resides in its own echelon. It is as though the wine is infused with the essence of resilience itself, delivering an aromatic panoply adorned with dark cherries and violet whispers. On partaking, one's palate is greeted by supple tannins, enlaced with the rich patina of oak—a nod to deft élevage—as well as a finish that bespeaks elegance incarnate.
In terms of investment potential, keen investors would do well to note that hardship-forged vintages carry an allure of their own. The 2017 Palmer, riding on the wings of adversarity turned opportunity presents such a case—a paragon poised for development in both bottle and value.
As connoisseurs seek out bottles that tell a story, this vintage's narrative of victory over environmental travail will not fail to captivate those who take their investments as they do their wine: seriously, and with an eye for profound depth.
A Summative Note
The Margaux region's 2017 vintage yields remind us that great wines are born not only from great years but also through great adversity. With every swirl and sip, the 2017 Palmer from Château Palmer elucidates that creed—offering investors and aficionados alike a sippable slice of history, destined to develop into an even more enthralling tale over time.
Market price (USD)
$2,300.00
12x75cl
Highest score
98
POP score
105
Scores and tasting notes
This is a sexy and well-formed 2017 with very velvety and suave tannins that go on for minutes. Full-bodied, soft and round. Extremely long and last for minutes.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com
The 2017 Palmer, a blend of 54% Merlot with 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot, is very deep purple-black in color and leaps from the glass with freshly macerated blue and black fruits: wild blueberries, blackberries and black cherries plus hints of licorice, rose hips, tilled soil and oolong tea with a waft of truffles. Medium-bodied, very finely crafted with exquisitely ripe and smooth yet firm tannins and sporting great mid-palate intensity and wonderful freshness, it finishes long and minerally.
Wine Advocate - Lisa Perrotti-Brown - robertparker.com
A blend of 54% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored, 2017 Palmer gives a very serious nose of pronounced blackcurrant cordial, warm plums and blackberry preserves with hints of cedar chest, pencil shavings, violets, dark chocolate and star anise plus exotic wafts of sandalwood and cassia. Medium-bodied, the palate features fantastically vibrant, crunchy black fruits with a firm texture of ripe, grainy tannins and tons of freshness, finishing very long and mineral laced. It will need a good 5-7 years to really blossom with all those tightly wound nuances, but it should be a stunner!
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 16 March 2020
All the elements of the château come through beautifully in the 2017 Palmer. Dark, succulent and inviting, Palmer expresses the forward, fresh style of the year very nicely. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, chocolate and dark spice notes fill out the wine's frame effortlessly. The 2017 is an understated wine of great promise. I can't wait to taste it from bottle. The blend is 54% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Technical Director Thomas Duroux told me his team harvested all the fruit in nine days as opposed to the more typical 2-3 weeks. The 2017s were done with no SO2 at crush. Duroux stopped the pumpovers early and favored gentle extractions. Both wines are in the 13-13.2 range of finished alcohol.
Antonio Galloni - Antonio Galloni - vinous.com - May '18
This is solidly ripe, with juicy energy adding extra lift to the mix of plum, cherry and blackberry fruit. A super-fresh iron streak checks in, along with mouthwatering bay and savory notes. This stands out from the pack.—J.M.
Wine Spectator - James Molesworth - winespectator.com
The 2017 Palmer was cropped at 38hl/ha between 20 and 29 September and then matured in 65% new oak (though this sample was taken from a used barrel as usual). For me there is quite a large difference between the Palmer and Alter Ego, the bouquet here is much more sophisticated and demonstrating more delineation: black fruit, iris, brown spices, a touch of clove and a subtle brine influence in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, crisp acidity, smooth and harmonious with a palpable sense of tension. I love the purity here, almost to an extent that I felt like asking Thomas Duroux to eschew the new oak! This has great potential and I love the typicité that I hope will not be obstructed.
Neal Martin - Neal Martin - vinous.com - May '18