2003 Palmer
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Tasting notes
Intense spice, majoring on smoked earth, pink pepper and black truffle notes, the fruit is softened, heading towards raspberry puree, crème de mure and fig. Plenty of freshness, with orange peel and graphite adding structure and texture. Soft rose petal colour around the edges shows the evolution overall, but there is still so much pleasure to be had here, and at least another decade of drinking. One of those vintages when you can really see the benefit that Bordeaux gets from being able to blend - far less Merlot was used in this wine than usual, because of the unusually high levels of ripeness and sugar that was found in the grape after the long hot summer (with temperatures reguarly breaking 40C during June, July and August). Harvest September 8 to 20, 60% new oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Tasted at the Château Palmer vertical in London, the magnum of 2003 Château Palmer is clearly more advanced in colour than the 2000. It is missing a little fruit intensity on the nose: warm gravel and dried flowers make the first impression, a touch of truffle with time. The palate is medium-bodied with cassis and liquorice on the entry, plenty of glycerine, but nowhere near the tension or complexity of 2000, 2005 or 2010. Viscous and generous on the finish, this is a serviceable Palmer, but one that was clearly compromised by that infamous summer that favored the more clayey soils further north in the Médoc. Tasted May 2015.
Leather, liquorice – really not at all hot, but not hugely interesting either. Good balance, but that alone is insufficient for expectations really. Okay. (RH)
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.