CHATEAU PALMER MARGAUX 750ML 2020

An irresistible wine from Palmer in 2020, sumptuous and voluptuous, open and appealing yet with all the elements so very carefully set in their place. Rich and evocative on the nose, dark and brooding with softly perfumed violet and rose aromas but it’s the texture that captivates on the palate with soft and seductive velvety tannins that immediately expand in the mouth giving power but also refinement. Mouthwatering and juicy but rich at the same time, so approachable you could drink this right now and just marvel in its nuance, structure and ease - and the oak integration is seamless. I love the liquorice bite and chalky sensation alongside vibrant black fruit though a sense of heat and menthol, liquorice freshness at the finish reminds you this is a serious wine that is built to last. This really carries the Margaux beauty and charm. A long life ahead but once opened this will disappear out of the bottle instantaneously.

Aromas of raspberries, cassis and cherries mingle with hints of violets, raw cocoa and hints of truffle in a perfumed bouquet. The 2020 Palmer is a full-bodied, layered and seamless wine that's deep and concentrated, with a vibrant core of beautifully pure and perfumed fruit, lively acids and ultra-refined tannins. This suave but authoritative Palmer is one of the high points of the vintage.

The 2020 Palmer has a relatively straightforward nose, more austere than its peers—not in a negative way, just reserved and a little leafier. The palate is overtly sweet, almost candied on the entry, with a very concentrated orange zest and marmalade sorbet-like quality. This is perhaps missing a little Margaux DNA on the finish, but it is still very attractive. Returning to it after ten minutes, there is structure and persistence. It is interesting how, tasted blind, the Grand and _Deuxième Vin) are so close together, but I am certain this will pull away with bottle age. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.