Château Palmer takes its name from Major General Charles Palmer, the English officer who acquired the estate in 1814 during the Bourbon Restoration. Previously known as Château de Gasq, the property was already renowned in the reign of Louis XV. Palmer worked tirelessly to promote his wine among British high society, and to this day the estate enjoys a particularly loyal following in the United Kingdom. General Palmer’s lavish lifestyle, however, led to bankruptcy, and in 1843 the property was sold to the Pereire brothers, who built the château as it stands today. Distinctive and instantly recognisable, it is crowned by four corner turrets. In the 1855 Classification, Palmer stumbled on the podium and was awarded the rank of Troisième Cru Classé. It nevertheless long held a reputation among connoisseurs as the leading wine of the appellation, until the revival of Château Margaux in the late 1970s rekindled the rivalry between the two estates. Today, Château Palmer is owned by the Mähler-Besse and Sichel families. Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand. Vinification remains traditional, with each grape variety and each parcel fermented separately to preserve the expression of their individual characteristics.
The relatively high proportion of Merlot in the blend, averaging around 47% – reflecting the influence of Jean Miailhe of Pichon Lalande, co-owner of the estate until the late 1970s, maybe – lends the wine richness, suppleness and a generous, fleshy texture. Built for long ageing, Château Palmer is characterised by an exceptionally balanced bouquet of blackcurrant, cherry and liquorice. Rich yet vibrant, often supple and silky, yet always deeply fruited and concentrated, these wines possess a superb elegance that unquestionably justify their standing among Bordeaux’s Premier Cru Classé.