Palmer 1996

Château Palmer 1996 is a mature Cabernet Sauvignon-based red wine from the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux. Château Palmer is a Third Growth Margaux estate with a history stretching back to the 17th century. Today the estate covers approximately 52 hectares and is managed by Thomas Duroux. 1996 is widely acknowledged as best year for the wines of the Médoc since 1990. The vintage was a memorably successful one for Château Palmer. The assemblage was 40% Merlot, 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. "A more classic Palmer. Deep youthful garnet. Open, sweet dark and spiced fruit. Smell the sun. Spice and truffles coming through as it opens up. You can still smell the sweet toasty oak though this was not the first vintage of new vats. Rich sweet pure fruit. Firm but rounded tannins and long aromatic finish. Fine cedary aftertaste. Very pure and direct and frank, some herbaceousness adding aroma but not greenness." Julia Harding MW, 2009