2019 - Palmer, Margaux

The Palmer 2019 is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs considerable shaking to unlock notions of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and crème de cassis, leading to wafts of rose oil and espresso. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with rich, seductive black and blue fruit, supported by heart-thumping tension and very fine tannins, finishing with epic length and jaw-dropping fragrance. Stunning!

The 2019 Palmer is beautifully defined on the nose with pencil lead infused black fruit, crushed stone, and hints of pressed flowers. Amazingly well focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and exquisitely sculpted tannins, unerring symmetry with a crescendo towards the utterly harmonious and persistent finish. This exudes a sense of completeness. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

Rich black cherries and damson fruit, together with tighter sour plum, anise and fennel, holding your attention from the first moment. Another hugely successful vintage at this property, showcasing an elegant, finessed tannic structure that hides a punch of power and concentration. As it opens, cocoa bean, liquorice and a saline-streaked minerality inch across the palate. Large-sized oak casks used for ageing. Tasted twice over two months; once as part of a vertical and here on a day of tasting other 2019s. This comes in at just a breath underneath the score during the vertical but it is unquestionably a Palmer to savour. 60% new oak.