Full medium ruby. Inviting, almost liqueur-like aromas of dark raspberry, sexy spices and tobacco lifted by a floral quality. Broad and plush but precise and fine-grained, with a layered texture to the concentrated flavors of red and dark berries and dark chocolate. Really builds toward the back but the wine's compelling thickness of fruit is nicely leavened by sneaky minerality. Finishes with noble tannins and captivating energy and perfume.

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Dark and glowing. 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. 

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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.

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Offers dark plum, mulled currant and blackberry notes, with flashes of roasted apple wood and maduro tobacco, plus cocoa and espresso. There's nicely rounded flesh and a long, integrated finish that has some extra grip. Clearly apart from the Margaux pack in 2008. 7,080 cases made.

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