Palmer 2004

This stunning wine is one of the vintage’s great successes. Administrator Thomas Duroux has fashioned a modern day version of Palmer’s brilliant 1966. Displaying a rare combination of power and elegance, this dense purple-colored offering exhibits notes of blackberries, truffles, flowers, incense, and camphor. Long, classic, and medium to full-bodied with stunning texture and richness, this superb effort is a candidate for the finest Margaux of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025+. Also tasted: 2004 Alter Ego de Palmer (88)

One of the stars of the vintage, the 2004 Palmer, a blend of 47% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, is a significantly richer, fuller-bodied, and potentially more complex wine than the 2003, 2002, and 2001. The 2004's dense blue/purple color is followed by an extraordinary nose of acacia flowers, charcoal, creme de cassis, and grilled meats. This powerful, heady, full-bodied effort may turn out to be a modern day version of Palmer’s brilliant 1966. It requires 5-7 years of cellaring, and should drink well for 2-3 decades. Bravo!

A significant improvement over the 2003, Palmer’s 2004 (47% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Petit Verdot), which was harvested between September 27 and October 12, possesses a high level of tannin. Only about one-third of the crop made it into this dense ruby/purple-colored effort. Notes of licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and grilled meats are found in this pure, rich, fat Margaux. Classically structured, medium-bodied, long, and firmly tannic, it should be at its peak between 2010-2025.

This is a fruity and firm wine with lovely blackberry and cherry character. Full-bodied, with good tannins and a medium finish. Needs a bit more in the midpalate, but very good indeed

A classic example of the elegance Palmer can give. There's ripe fruit on the nose, and dense, sweet fruit on the palate. It's showing a restrained, austere side now, but there's richness as well as power. Excellent structure and balance, with lovely, rich tannins; not drying. And the final touch is the sweet, Elvas plum aftertaste. 2012-2030

Lovely fresh, intense palate entry - all wonderfully integrated and vivacious. Very smart and Margaux - nothing too sweet or ripe but beautifully integrated. Great success! Real structure but with polish too. Lovely wine.