Château Palmer - Margaux 2005

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/06/2015

Its bigger sister, the 2005 Château Palmer (53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot), is one of the great efforts of this superlative vintage. Floral notes mixed with blackberry, cassis, plum, licorice and spring flowers soar from the glass of this dense ruby/purple wine. It is medium to full-bodied, surprisingly opulent (it has a big percentage of Merlot), long, multi-dimensional and textured. This wonderfully pure, stunning wine once again performs as a first-growth. It should drink well for the next 20-25 years.

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

par Jancis Robinson le 09/02/2015

Interesting that this advertises so much more alcohol than most of the left-bank wines. Bright crimson. Tightly knit, aromatic nose. Spicy and medicinal with lots of sweetness and seduction. Really playing the extreme card – to good effect. But this is a big wine, muscular even. Not classic Margaux by any means; a much bigger beast. Going for the jugular.

14% Drink 2023-2045

La Revue du Vin de France

18 / 20

le 20/10/2014

Il défend son style rond et charmeur dans ce millésime de belle maturité. Le vin est ample, avec une attaque en bouche très suave. Il possède beaucoup de gras et de charme. La bouche est chaleureuse mais équilibrée. Un Palmer exhubérant qui ira très loin.

Wine Advocate

97 / 100

par Neal Martin le 16/06/2009

Tasted single blind at Southwold. Another extraordinary primal, chocolate tinged nose with ripe black plum, black olive, kirsch and a touch of cooked meat. Very complex and engaging, more expressive than others at the moment. The palate is beautifully defined, ravishing succulent tannins, perfect acidity, really suave and sophisticated. Enormous depth with sleek saturated tannins. Great length with such finesse on the finish. Decadent is an understatement. Raucous! Drink 2018-2040+ Tasted January 2009.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

94 / 100

par Stephen Tanzer le 30/06/2008

Good deep red-ruby. Deep, brooding aromas of blackberry, kirsch and chocolate mint, with a distinctly roasted, jammy character showing today. Compellingly sweet and explosive on the palate, with great fat to the flavors of plum, mulberry, coffee and mocha; like a cocktail of jammy fruits. This is downright massive, not to say decadent, for Palmer-at 14% alcohol the highest ever recorded here. A pure liquid confection.

Wine Advocate

97 / 100

par Robert Parker le 07/05/2008

This spectacular offering should continue to improve, and may merit an even higher score after additional aging. Stunningly rich and powerful, the dark purple-tinged 2005 Palmer is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot. Aromas of incense, burning embers, black currants, plums, licorice, and flowers are followed by a full-bodied Margaux with more weight and power even than its nearby first-growth rival, Chateau Margaux. The abundant acidity and tannins are beautifully coated by the wine’s exceptional fruit extract and overall harmony and richness. It is so concentrated that one is hard pressed to find even a hint of new oak. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2045+

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

par James Suckling le 22/02/2008

Dark in color, with intense aromas of crushed berry, toasty oak and hints of raisin, turning to fresh flowers. Full-bodied, with a big, juicy, velvety texture and a long aftertaste of coffee, coconut and berry. This is powerful and muscular for Palmer. Best after 2012.

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

par Robert Parker le 04/05/2007

Produced from a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot (only 50% of the total crop was used), the 2005 Palmer boasts an amazing 14% natural alcohol. New administrator Thomas Duroux (formerly of Ornellaia in Tuscany) has fashioned a true classic. Creme de cassis, camphor, earth, licorice, and spicy oak characteristics emerge from this sensationally rich, full-bodied Margaux. With terrific texture, awesome intensity, high but sweet tannin, and refreshing, well-integrated acidity, this wine will be at its finest between 2015-2050+.

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/05/2006

A classic vin de garde as well as a Palmer for the ages, the 2005 will last for 40-50 years. Representing 50% of the production, it is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot. An inky/blue/purple color is accompanied by a beautiful bouquet of flowers, cassis, spice box, forest floor, and subtle wood. Boasting extraordinary intensity, a huge entry on the palate, full body, high tannin, and good underlying acidity, this is a massive as well as exquisitely elegant, pure effort. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+.

Wine Spectator

95-100 / 100

par James Suckling le 28/03/2006

Opulent and flamboyant are the two words that come to mind with this wine. Aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate and toasted oak follow through to a full-bodied palate, with big, chewy tannins (yet they are refined and silky) and a long, long finish. This is a full-throttle Palmer. Superripe and delicious. —J.S.