2012 Chateau Palmer (750ml)
-
Wine Type
Red Wine
-
Size
750ml
-
Vintage
2012
-
Country
France
-
Region
Bordeaux
-
Sub-Region
Margaux
-
Grape
Cabernet SauvignonMerlotPetit Verdot
-
Farming Method
BiodynamicAll of our products that are tagged with the term Biodynamic are either biodynamic certified or biodynamic practicing. Learn More
-
ABV
—
-
Food Pairing
SteakGameLamb
The estate dates back to the 17th century, though it was not until 1814 that Englishman Charles Palmer took ownership and gave it his name. In 1938, the estate was bought by four Bordeaux négociant families, two of whom – the Sichel and Mähler-Besse families – own the property today. Since 2004, the estate has been led by the agronomist and oenologist Thomas Duroux, who has made wine at the Ornellaia estate in Bolgheri, Tuscany. In addition to the Grand Vin, Chateau Palmer has been crafting a cuvée called Alter Ego since 1998. Alter Ego is produced from grapes grown on dedicated plots and with a different blend from that of the Grand Vin. For this reason, Chateau Palmer regard it not as a second wine, but very much as a distinctive cuvée.
Between 2008 and 2013, Chateau Palmer made the transition to 100% biodynamic farming. In addition to its vineyards, the estate is home to a diversity of complementary plants and grazing animals.
Method
The principal characteristic of the 2012 vintage is that of a remarkable contrast between spring, summer and early autumn. In the spring, the abundant rainfall from April to June was well above average. This cool and damp weather brought about a late yet heterogeneous bud break. Flowering was also much later and lasted longer compared to the previous vintage. There was a high percentage of coulure in the oldest Merlot. A lot of attention in the vineyard was required to prevent disease. The summer weather changes completely. At the end of June, the sun began to shine and temperature rose. A dry warm summer made for good growing conditions. Rain around harvest time meant that the harvest was intense; taking place between the 1st and 15th of October without interruption and in wet conditions. Despite the challenges around the harvest, the Merlot, rich and exuberant, was some of the best harvested since the early 2000s. The Cabernet Sauvignon was linear and precise. The wine is a blend of 48% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot.
Reviews