- CRITICAL REVIEWS
- WINEMAKER NOTES
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
2008 Chateau Palmer, Margaux, France
BACK FROM THE BRINK.
A vintage that made a spectacular recovery. The year 2008 perfectly explains the foundations of Château Palmer’s identity: a harmony of flavor in which fine tannins dominate, and a rich aromatic palette that blossoms over time. The remarkable lateness of this vintage’s harvest was due to disruption to the growth cycle by difficult climatic conditions. After a mild, dry, late winter, budding was delayed by cold weather from mid-March to late April. A very rainy month of May ended with a hailstorm that hit the south of the Médoc – including several Château Palmer plots – compounding the stress suffered by the vines. Flowering took place in June in cool, rainy conditions, resulting in significant coulure, particularly on our older Merlot vines. Mildew pressure was also constant this year. July weather always plays an essential role in polyphenol synthesis, and this July was generally warm and sunny. Summer got off to a good start on June 20, and a long period of warm, relatively dry weather lasted until August 10. The less favorable weather that followed for the rest of August somewhat overshadowed this, especially as we also had to manage the disease pressure. From September 14, a northerly wind set in, bringing with it warmer weather and an end to the rain. The wind dried out the small outbreaks of botrytis that were beginning to worry us, and we were able to wait for the last grapes to ripen without any major vine health concerns. This vintage made a spectacular recovery! With great depth and remarkable finesse, the wines beautifully express the Château Palmer terroir in a vintage brought back from the brink!
BLEND
CHATEAU PALMER
Merlot 51%
Cabernet sauvignon 41%
Petit verdot 8%
ALTER EGO
Merlot 52%
Cabernet sauvignon 48%
HARVEST DATES
From the
1/10/2008
to the
17/10/2008