2008 Ch. Palmer, Margaux

Ch. Palmer was one of only two châteaux in 2008 where we seriously felt that the quality almost matched the incredible level of their illustrious 2005s – the other was Ch. Latour. This exceptional quality almost justifies Palmer's price this year. Yes, it is high but, by Jove, Palmer’s 2008 is as good as a First Growth and better than most of them this vintage.

With a glorious concentration of blackcurrant fruit on the nose and an intense, smooth, fruity, rich yet fine-boned palate, this is a wine which just oozes power but with such incredible precision it takes your breath away. Satin-esque, fine-grained tannins add elegance and there’s an intriguing, almost raspberry hint to the finish. This has the depth and power to last for decades but the perfect balance gives it an almost balletic quality: pure sophistication.

With a glorious concentration of blackcurrant fruit on the nose and an intense, smooth, fruity, rich yet fine-boned palate, this is a wine which just oozes power but with such incredible precision it takes your breath away. Satin-esque, fine-grained tannins add elegance and there’s an intriguing, almost raspberry hint to the finish. This has the depth and power to last for decades but the perfect balance gives it an almost balletic quality: pure sophistication.

Black-red, excellent concentration of black fruits, yet still plummy and aromatic, satiny ripeness with good firm tannins, freshness and depth, will be very good. Drink 2017-30.
(Decanter - Apr-2009)

Quite grown up and sophisticated. Draws you in on the nose – much more compelling than most 2008s. Sweet start - 51% Merlot! – very unusually high for 2008 and for Palmer. The opposite of Ch Margaux. Actually quite Ornellaia like, very soft and rich. Very seductive and lively. With velvety texture. Neat and energetic. Cool, even slightly minty. Really lots of pleasure. Even if quite unusual. The Palmer team love it – not least because it was so difficult. Italian bite. (Not that this will be a popular tasting note in Margaux.) Quite electric.
(Jancis Robinson MW - jancisrobinson.com - Apr 09)

A stunning success for the vintage, and possibly the Margaux of the year, this wine, which achieved 13.5% natural alcohol, is a blend of 51% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot. Loads of barbecue smoke, licorice, incense, blackberry, new saddle leather and forest floor notes jump from the glass of this dense, purple-colored wine. Extraordinarily intense and full-bodied, with plenty of tannin, but not the formidable structure of the 2010, this is going to be one of the longest-lived wines of 2008. It is full, rich, layered, and should be reasonably approachable with 3-4 years of bottle age, and will also keep for 30+ years.
(Robert Parker- Wine Advocate- May 2011)

The 2008 Palmer, which tips the scales at 13.5% natural alcohol (among the highest achieved at this property), is a blend of 51% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Petit Verdot. It is a massively rich wine with an inky/purple color, sensational density of fruit, velvety tannins, a glorious bouquet of black fruits, licorice, incense, and subtle barbecue smoke, a superb, full-bodied mouthfeel, and a fabulous texture and length. With several minutes of swirling, an enticing floral note emerges. The wine’s glycerin and sweetness suggest it will be approachable 3-4 years after bottling, yet keep for three decades or more. It appears to be among the finest Palmers made this decade, rivaling both the 2005 and 2000.
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Apr-2009)

Very deep colour. Like the Alter Ego, the nose takes some coaxing from the glass, it is not as generous as the 2006 or 2007, rather this unfurls gracefully in the glass. Black cherries, violets with boysenberry and a touch of iodine. A slight clayey accent coming through. The palate is full-bodied, it has that same sense of energy, a real prickle on the tongue, very fresh and taut – tension. Firm tannins, again quite strict on the finish. Correct but supremely well focused. A certain austerity at the finish, but that will mellow out in time. Impressive (again).
(Neal Martin - e-Robert parker.com - Apr-2009)