2023 Vieux Chateau Palon
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Tasting notes
With roughly 2,650 cases produced, the 2023 Vieux Château Palon is a more modern, well-oaked style based on 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc that spent 12-16 months in 50% new French oak with the balance in one-year-old barrels and vats. Ripe black fruits, espresso, smoke, and graphite define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. There are some firmer oak tannins here, but I suspect they're going to integrate with a year or two of bottle age. It should have 15+ years of longevity. Drink 2027-2040.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
More reviews and scores
Aromas of sweet spices, bark, dark chocolate, dark cherries and berries with a hint of dried mushrooms. This is rich but fresh on the palate, with a medium to full body and nicely structured, chewy tannins. Long finish. Give it one more year in the bottle.
Round, fruity, forward, fresh, and creamy, this ready-to-go, well-priced charmer already offers its licorice, cherry, and chocolate character with just a swirl or two. You can enjoy this with pleasure on release and for at least 10-12 years after that.
A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Vieux Chateau Palon is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It features pronounced oak overtones to start, eventually revealing a core of wild strawberries and black raspberries, plus underlying hints of dried Provence herbs and wet slate. Medium-bodied, the palate is firm and chewy with a good amount of muscular fruit, finishing a touch rugged.