Chateau Palmer 2010

JAMES SUCKLING: "A purity of fruit here with plum and dark chocolate undertones. Spices and treacle tart as well. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a long, long finish. Very fine indeed. Fit, fruity and reserved. Superb. Try in 2020."

DECANTER: "One of the great years of Bordeaux now at 10 years old and showing why this is such an unusual vintage in terms of the depth of structure and muscular concentration that was achieved. In fact, I am upping the drinking window from the last time I tasted this, as there is such a pulse of life and grip that shows no signs of going anywhere. The initial layers are starting to be peeled back, but this retains primary black and blue fruits that are still full of flesh alongside baked earth, tons of liquorice and black chocolate with a grippy tannic structure, fresh acidities and a serious attitude. Brilliant stuff, that is clearly going to power on for decades. Harvest September 22 to October 20. Drinking Window 2022 - 2048"

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarter Ockerrand. Feine exotische Gewürze, schwarze Frucht, Brombeeren und Lakritze, Mandarinenzesten, Edelholz, facettenreiches Bukett. Kraftvoll, extraktsüß, reife schwarze Waldbeeren, präsente, tragende Tannine, eine noble Textur, die sich von vorne bis hinten durchzieht, hat seine erste Trinkreife noch nicht erreicht, tolle Länge, sicheres Zukunftspotenzial. Sehr vielversprechend, hat punktemäßig noch Luft nach oben."

WEINWISSER: "Dichtes Purpur, violetter Schimmer, sehr satt in der Mitte. Ein Wahnsinns- Beerencocktail in der Nase von Grenadine, roten Kirschen bis zu Cassis, eine komplexe, reife Süsse zeigend, wirkt noch etwas zurückhaltend, aber enorm tief. Samtiger Gaumen mit dichter Extraktion und fast essenzartiger Frucht, mollige Tannine, die schon ersten Charme versprühen, erst im Innern kommt das Verlangende, welches auf ein riesiges Alterungspotenzial schliessen lässt. Hat die Maximalnote im Visier und zählt zu den allerbesten Bordeaux- Crus des Jahrgangs."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Compelling aromatics set off by flowers, blackberries, truffle and black licorice. In the mouth, the texture is pure silk and velvet. The wine is refined, polished, soft, fresh and elegant, with a long, sweet, fresh, rich, sensuous finish that remains on your palate for close to 40 seconds. The wine was made from a blend of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 14.5% alcohol."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "While outwardly this wine is generous and opulent with great juicy sweetness, the core is structured and powerful. The wine is concentrated and complex, with dark tannins and a brooding, dense texture. This is a wine with a long-lived future."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Palmer rolls out of the glass with warm cassis, baked plums and boysenberries scents plus hints of candied violets, star anise and dried bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is generously fruited, with a firm backbone of grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is riveting, with terrific tarry grip coursing underneath layers of smoldering bay leaf, warm plum confiture, freshly brewed espresso, dark cassis and well-steeped black tea. The charcoal and tobacco backdrop is gorgeous and should move forward through the core of fruit over time. Be patient though, as the structure is ironclad. This will really be electric once mature. Best from 2017 through 2040."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Deep garnet. Scented. Slightly minty cassis still showing. Firm yet succulent, juicy and with freshness and balance in a powerful vintage."