2002 Palmer
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Tasting notes
The 2002 Palmer has a well-defined bouquet with smudged red fruit, melted tar, dark chocolate and mint. This has held up well over two decades, but it is missing some of Palmer's DNA. The palate is medium-bodied, simple yet balanced, with fine acidity and firm tannins. It lacks some vigor and comes across as rather austere and more Saint-Julien in style on the finish. Not bad, though I prefer the 2000 or 2001 by comparison. Tasted at the Palmer vertical at the château.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Plenty of upfront raspberry and blackberry fruits, not as elegant as the 2001 but with structure and concentration. Touches of white pepper spice, along with gunsmoke and cigar box as it opens, this is enjoyable and has a skip of acidity that keeps your mouth watering and keeps momentum drawing you forward through the palate. Harvest September 26 to October 7, 60% new oak. Palmer avoided some of the heavier rains that affected much of Bordeaux during harvest (just 5mm on this spot in the biggest storm of September 20), and was seen as one of the wines of the vintage. Impressive, and surprising.
Bright healthy crimson. Not much nose. Definitely solid. Not much sign of Margaux grace here. Was the extraction too enthusiastic? Rather drying finish. Not light but very angular and chewy. (JR)
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.