Chateau Palmer, classified a Third Growth Bordeaux, is in the commune of Cantenac, the heart of the Margaux appellation.

The Palmer vineyards, originally part of the larger estate of Chateau d’Issan, cover 66 hectares of gravelly soil on terraces overlooking the Garonne River. There are equal amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (47% each). The remainder is Petit Verdot. From 2014 forward, the entire property has been farmed biodynamically.

Chateau Palmer is named after Major General Charles Palmer of the British Army, who bought the estate in 1814 from Marie de Gascq. A passionate man, he invested a great deal of time, energy and money to develop his property, purchasing land and buildings in the communes of Cantenac, Issan, and Margaux, and by the 1830s, his property covered 163 hectares, 82 hectares of which were vineyards. “Palmer's Claret” quickly gained popularity in London clubs and even found favor in the eyes of the future King George IV.

Charles sold the estate in 1843. The current owners, the Sichel and Mahler-Besse families, have been in place since 1938. Their focus throughout has been on authenticity, quality and consistency.

Finesse and elegance, typical of the great wines of Margaux, are the trademarks of Chateau Palmer. The unusual combination of grape varieties for a classified Left Bank wine–as much Merlot as Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Petit Verdot–gives Chateau Palmer a bouquet of extraordinary complexity, with fruit, flowers, and spice wrapped in a fleshy and generous structure. The subtle balance between aromatic richness and powerful, yet always restrained, tannins makes Palmer charming even when very young.

The grapes are fermented separately by variety and plot in 54 conical, stainless steel vats. The wine then ages 18 to 21 months in French oak barrels, less than 50% new.

The 2023 Chateau Palmer Bordeaux Blend is a red wine produced by Chateau Palmer in the Margaux sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This wine, composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot, has garnered high praise from multiple esteemed reviewers, indicating its exceptional quality.

James Suckling awarded it a near-perfect score of 98, describing the wine as having "vivid density and structure" with "pure blackcurrant character." He emphasized its full-bodied nature, silky tannins, and an "exquisite finish" that is ethereal and cloud-like despite its initial appearance of being large and overpowering. He credited the refined, weightless tannin quality for this ethereal experience (jamessuckling.com).

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate echoed similar sentiments with a score of 97. William Kelley highlighted the late harvest strategy, initiated on September 11 for the Merlot and concluded on October 5 for the Cabernet Sauvignon, which resulted in a wine "redolent of cherries, wild berries, rose petals, and violets." Kelley described it as "medium to full-bodied, plush and enveloping," with a seamless and complete profile (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate).

Antonio Galloni of Vinous gave the 2023 Palmer a perfect score of 100, calling it "breathtaking" and "sensational." He praised its inky richness and explosive character, noting that it is "immediately captivating" with a balance that is "mind-blowing." Galloni likened it to a great Pomerol, citing its layered fruit and aromatic intensity (Vinous).

Jane Anson rated this wine at 97 points, noting its "coiled energy and lift" with a complex aromatic profile including "graphite, crushed rocks, crushed roses, and peonies." She appreciated its sculpted fruit flavors and sense of momentum, alluding to the 55% new oak aging process for the first year (janeanson.com).

Decanter also gave it a 98, describing the wine as "crazy aromatics, full and bright," with intense scents of flowers, fruit, and a harmonious balance of tannins, fruit, and acidity. They noted the wine's "cool classicism on the finish with a salty, mineral, oyster shell undercurrent" (Decanter).

Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider rated it 99 points, commending its "silky, lush, polished, and fresh" palate with a "seamless finish" that resonates for 50 seconds. He highlighted the meticulous harvest timing and low yields of 32 hectoliters per hectare as critical factors in the wine's quality (TheWineCellarInsider.com).

Jeb Dunnuck gave it 98 points, describing it as "inky hued" with "gorgeous blue fruits, graphite, charcoal, liquid violets, and crushed stone-like minerality." He noted its rich, full-bodied, and concentrated nature, predicting it could surpass its barrel rating (jebdunnuck.com).

Finally, The Wine Independent also rated it 98, with Lisa Perrotti-Brown highlighting its "broody and subdued" start that evolves into fresh berry flavors with a "satiny texture and racy backbone" (The Wine Independent).

In summary, the 2023 Chateau Palmer Bordeaux Blend is a highly acclaimed wine that impresses with its depth, complexity, and exceptional balance.