Chateau Palmer 2009

WEINWISSER: "52 % Merlot, 41 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 7 % Petit Verdot. Ertrag: 34 hl/ha, dennoch knapp über 100 000 Flaschen Produktion. Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Unglaubliches Bouquet, alles im schwarzbeerigen Bereich, Lakritze, Rauch, Brombeeren, Black Currant, schwarze Edelhölzer und Kakao, eine komplexe Fülle zeigend, ohne alkoholisch zu wirken (13,6 Vol.-% Alkohol sind vergleichsweise niedrig). Am Gaumen schon völlig präsent, mit wunderbarer Fülle und innerer Dichte, rollende Tannine, reichlich Brombeeren und Cassis, nobel."

JEB DUNNUCK: "I've been lucky enough to have the 2009 Château Palmer numerous times over the past handful of years, and it continues to be a primordial yet heavenly wine every time, revealing a deep purple color as well as an incredibly powerful bouquet of blackcurrants, black cherry liqueur, smoked tobacco, graphite, crushed stone, and chocolate. Possessing full-bodied richness and a massive, dense, incredibly powerful style (not far off the 2018), it gains elegance and finesse with time in the glass, has ultra-fine tannins, and one hell of a finish. This magical Palmer needs another decade to hit maturity and will evolve for 50+ years or more."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Ockerrandaufhellung, einnehmende Würze, zart nach Lakritze, Brombeerkonfit, florale Nuancen. Ungemein komplex, dunkle Kirschfrucht, komplex, volle Frucht, reifer Charakter mit charmanten, reifen Tannin, feine Extraktsüße, enorme Länge und großer Druck, ein Wein gebaut für viele Jahrzehnte, bereits sehr verführerisch, war von Anfang an sehr zugänglich und wird dies über Jahrzehnte wohl auch bleiben."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Just starting to knock on the door of secondary aromatics, you can peek into the wine and find truffle, flowers, tobacco leaf, smoked cherries and spice. But that is only the beginning. Once you taste the wine and you feel those sensuous textures as the wine glides across your palate, you know this is special. The wine has more than ample density, but it is not heavy. The lift in the mid-palate keeps all those layers of ripe, dark red, earthy fruits alive. Vibrant, elegant and silky, the end note remains with you for at least 50 seconds or more. If you like more youthful fruit in your wine, you can drink this now. If you want to enjoy the wine as it heads to its peak, give it another decade of rest. This should age effortlessly for decades."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Palmer delivers a beguiling array of black fruit—warm plums, cassis and black cherry compote—with kirsch and wild sage sparks plus profound suggestions of fragrant earth, black truffles, iron ore and liquid licorice. Full-bodied, rich and decadently seductive in the mouth, the generous fruit is superbly framed with plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral laced."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This has such class and power. Aromas of blueberries and blackberries, with hints of violets. Full-bodied, with polished tannins and a juicy finish. Solid and extremely pretty. Fabulous finish. Try in 2020."

DECANTER: "Bursting with potential for decades of enjoyment as it just hovers around its drinking window at 11 years old. Still extremely young, with fleshy black damson fruits that settle in and deepen through the mid palate. As with the last time I tasted this just over 18 months ago, the violet and peony notes swirl out of the glass as it opens. The texture is velvet, with grain and depth to it, and a smoky edge alongside chocolate and mint. It's so young still, it will go and go and lives up to some of the best Palmers on record, with generous fruits matched by natural tension and tannic grip. This won the audience award at the virtual tasting. Thomas Duroux had been at the estate for five years at this point."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "A beautiful wine, with the firmest tannins surrounded by perfumed fruit. It is dense, of course, but this density is balanced with great elegance, blackberry fruits, sweetness and final juicy acidity. The wine is structured, a powerhouse of concentration while preserving this complete style."

WINE SPECTATOR: " This is on another level from most in the appellation, with gorgeous layers of warm currant confiture, smoldering tobacco, licorice snap, warm paving stone and anise all framed by tarry but integrated grip. Stays sleek and well-defined through the finish. Should age beautifully. Best from 2015 through 2030. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 9,500 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Reticent nose, then plentiful black cherry and bright acid. Soft tannins, enjoyably bright, although it perhaps isn't as showy and powerful as you expect for 2009. Maybe a good reflection of Margaux's more elegant style? Certainly ready to drink."