1981 Palmer
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 1981 Palmer has moderate bricking on the rim. I appreciate the aromatics here. It's a little more Margaux-like than the vintages from the seventies, with dried rose petals and touches of incense complementing the decayed red fruit. There's even a light honeyed note in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. There's a lovely balance. It's not complex yet fresh and with a little sapidity towards the cedar and sandalwood-tinged finish. Perhaps reaching the end of its drinking plateau. Nevertheless, this is a fine 1981 Left Bank worth seeking out. Tasted at the Palmer vertical at the château.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Revealing a medium ruby/translucent hue, the 1981 Château Palmer displays a fully mature, straightforward, yet enjoyable style offering light red fruits and spicy, herbal nuances. It's certainly not getting better, and it’s a disappointing 1981 best left for others.
This is a relatively light, almost indifferent style of Palmer, lacking depth, and coming across as straightforward, with a simple plummy fruitiness intermingled with scents and flavors of herbs, oak, and cedar. It is medium bodied and austere for a Palmer. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 6/90.
This is a relatively light, almost indifferent style of Palmer, lacking depth, and coming across as straightforward, with a simple plummy fruitiness intermingled with scents and flavors of herbs, oak, and cedar. It is medium bodied and austere for a Palmer. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 6/90. Jan 1998, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Ch. Palmer is one of the finest producers in Bordeaux. The Margaux Third Growth is known for its significant plantings of old-vine Merlot, typically representing a large portion of the blend and responsible for the generous and supple style Ch. Palmer is known for.