A surprise release this morning…
Our job as a wine merchant is to help filter the noise and highlight the Bordeaux releases that genuinely offer quality, value and long-term potential. If we think a wine is fairly priced, we’ll say so. If we don’t, we’ll say that too, or try to negotiate something better.
That was exactly the case with Angelus yesterday, where we managed to secure improved pricing after feeling the initial release was too ambitious. Palmer today is similar, with the release landing right on the edge of where we felt it should be, so we’ve again negotiated a mailing list special price for subscribers.
These mailing list prices are not available on the website, so if you would like a case, simply reply to the email.
Palmer & Alter Ego 2025
97-99 Points - Wine Advocate
“One of the most refined and seamless wines of the vintage is the 2025 Palmer, a blend of 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot that wafts from the glass with aromas of sweet blackberries, plums and licorice complemented by floral accents of violet and wisteria (yes, the window of the tasting room was closed)”
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Chateau Palmer is one of Bordeaux’s most iconic and seductive estates, producing deeply perfumed Margaux that combine power with extraordinary finesse. Situated on exceptional gravel soils close to the Gironde estuary, Palmer has long challenged the First Growths through its distinctive blend dominated by Merlot alongside Cabernet Sauvignon. Biodynamic farming, tiny yields and meticulous winemaking have elevated the estate into one of the world’s most collectible and age-worthy wines.
Much of Palmer’s magic comes from the famed Terrace 4 gravel plateau, one of the greatest terroirs in Margaux. These deep Günzian gravels provide superb drainage and warmth retention, producing wines of remarkable perfume, silk-like texture and mineral precision.
Palmer 2025 is a beautifully seamless and refined Margaux, combining floral perfume, black cherry, cassis and violet with remarkable energy and precision. Despite tiny yields, the wine remains poised and effortless, with silky tannins and exceptional freshness carrying the long mineral finish. Critics repeatedly praised its harmony and elegance, with Wine Advocate calling it “one of the most refined and seamless wines of the vintage” and Jeff Leve awarding a huge 98-100 points.
Released today at €224 In Bond per bottle. We have cases of 6x75cl and 3x75cl. As mentioned above, we have negotiated a small discount to put this at a level we thought worked.
We were really impressed by the flair, precision and complexity the wine already showed, even at this incredibly early stage from barrel.
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Release Price:
€224 In Bond per bottle
€271.84 inc NL VAT per bottle
Mailing List Special:
€210 In Bond per bottle
€254.90 inc NL VAt per bottle
3x75cl or 6x75cl OWC
98-100 Points | The Wine Cellar Insider, Jeff Leve
Iris, violets, and roses might start the aromatics, but that's not all there is, as you also find cherries, currants, dried flowers, and hints of spice, which are all front and center. The palate, however, is the star of the show. The combination of vibrant, sweet, ripe, clean, and pure fruits, coupled with its vivid energy, drives the long, seamless, elegant, and sensuous finish. There is concentration and power, but everything is so refined that it is not something you notice. The finish starts off slowly, building into a crescendo of perfectly ripe fruits. The key to the vintage was the late-August rains, which allowed for lower ABV and better fruit maturity. The wine blends 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 41% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. 13.5 % ABV, 3.7 pH. The yields were small at 20 hectoliters. The harvest took place from September 4 to September 25. This is the earliest start to a harvest in the history of the estate. Drink from 2030-2070.
99 Points | Falstaff
Deep dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Black berry fruit, a hint of cassis, delicate nougat, subtle spice, inviting bouquet. Complex, juicy, black cherries, fine extract sweetness, ripe tannins, mineral aftertaste, nougat touch on the finish, great length, sure maturity potential, seductive style.
97-99 Points | Wine Advocate
One of the most refined and seamless wines of the vintage is the 2025 Palmer, a blend of 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot that wafts from the glass with aromas of sweet blackberries, plums and licorice complemented by floral accents of violet and wisteria (yes, the window of the tasting room was closed). Full-bodied, suave and layered, with a deep and concentrated core of fruit, bright acids and supple tannins, it's already harmonious and complete, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. At only 13.5% alcohol, this is quite a bit lower than most recent sunny vintages at Palmer.
97-98 Points | James Suckling
Plush is the word to describe this red. Full-bodied and layered, with velvety tannins and a savory finish. Juicy at the end. Flashy and posh. Plenty of blackberry and black currant aromas and flavors.
96-98 Points | Vinous - Antonio Galloni
The 2025 Palmer is unusual in that Merlot drives the blend this year. That results in an unusually juicy Grand Vin. Even so, there's plenty of supporting structure. The blend is 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Black fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice, gravel and chocolate build into a driving, potent finish. There's a lot of gravitas and substance here. I am very much looking forward to tasting this as a finished wine; my impression today is that the 2025 is holding back quite a bit of its potential.
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€63 In Bond per bottle
€77.03 inc NL VAT per bottle
94-96 Points | Antonio Galloni
The 2025 Alter Ego is bold, juicy and super expressive right out of the gate. A wine of total pleasure and seduction, this will drink beautifully with minimal cellaring. Soft, plush contours wrap around a core of red plum, mocha, cedar, espresso and cinnamon. All the elements are so well balanced. Floral top notes and a kick of blood orange perk up the brilliant finish. This is such a classy, polished wine—an especially fine Alter Ego. The blend is 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot.
95 Points | Falstaff
Deep dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Intense black berry fruit, some liquorice and juniper, some nougat and vanilla, inviting bouquet. Juicy, elegant, mineral core, ripe tannins, black berry fruit, fresh and persistent, already accessible, a finesse-rich food companion.
93-95 Points | The Wine Cellar Insider
The unique blend of flowers, and herbs starts things off before you get to the currants and hint of tobacco leaves. The medium-bodied palate combines silk, racy-edged tannins, with crisp red fruits, so you find a lot of lift in the mid-palate, and mildly spicy, currant packed finish. The wine is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. 13% ABV. Drink from 2029-2050.
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Prefer magnums, halves, or double-magnums? The wine is still in barrel, so packaging is flexible. Just reply to this email with your preference.
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