Good medium ruby. Boysenberry, currant, graphite, mocha, underbrush and roast coffee on the nose, along with sexy smoky oak. Lush, sweet and vinous, with complex, explosive dark berry flavors and impressive density for the year. Plump and pliant. Finishes with broad, lightly dusty tannins and excellent length. In comparison to this, the 2001 is drier and tighter, even allowing for the difference in age between the two vintages.

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48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 46% Merlot – exactly mirrors the make-up of the vineyard. Problems with mildew because of humid summer but homogeneous maturity. High volume and high sugars (broke all records – bigger than 2000 and 2003 – highest sugar levels until 2005). Not a classic Palmer.Markedly deep and youthful colour. Lots of coffee and fragrant spice and cedar. Intense clean cassis, touch of indulgent damson, and a note of undergrowth. More fruity than floral. Dry, smooth powerful tannins and lovely freshness – a lightness of touch that I did not expect from the colour but it fills the mouth and spreads. Depth and length but still a lightness of touch. then it comes back and fills the mouth again with plenty of flesh even though the structure is clearly there. Power and youth. Very long. (JH)

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The 1999 is the greatest Palmer made since 1961, 1966, 1970, 1983, and 1989. It is one of the superstars of the vintage. The wine is a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. It boasts a staggering bouquet of violets and other spring flowers intermixed with licorice, black currants, and subtle wood. Only 50% of the production made it into the grand vin. This is a multidimensional, compelling effort with both power and elegance, it offers sweet tannin along with flavors that caress the palate, and a 45-second finish. This is terrific stuff!

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Plenty of licorice, berry and mineral character in this red. Full-bodied, with super, well-integrated tannins and a long finish. Only now giving a fraction of what it has to offer. A harmonious Palmer. 12,200 cases made.

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