Château Palmer, 3ème Cru Classé, Margaux,

Beautifully poised, with spiced damson and raspberry fruits, higher acidity than you find in the 2015 or 2016, juicy and just about opening up to drink. Has the generous floral character of a maturing Palmer, where the peony and roses start to take off through the mid palate, hovering above the berry fruits, layering up with complexity, thoroughly enjoyable. A good 10 to 15 years ahead of pleasure. This was the 200th anniversary vintage since General Charles Palmer bought the wine estate from Madame de Gascq. Harvest September 22 to October 14, 60% new oak.

The 2014 Palmer has an attractive bouquet with red berry fruit, cedar, undergrowth and veins of blue fruit. This opens nicely in the glass, but I certainly would not classify it as one of Palmer's more opulent aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with powdery tannins, mainly red fruit intermixed with white pepper, cedar and orange rind. Linear in style, this is a Palmer that doesn't want to show off and remains within the limitations of the growing season. It should offer another 20 years of drinking pleasure. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.