Château PALMER 2025

Description

William Kelley 97-99 points www.erobertparker.com
One of the most refined and seamless wines of the vintage is the 2025 Palmer, a blend of 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot that wafts from the glass with aromas of sweet blackberries, plums and licorice complemented by floral accents of violet and wisteria (yes, the window of the tasting room was closed). Full-bodied, suave and layered, with a deep and concentrated core of fruit, bright acids and supple tannins, it’s already harmonious and complete, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. At only 13.5% alcohol, this is quite a bit lower than most recent sunny vintages at Palmer.

Yves Beck 98-100 points www.yvesbeck.wine
Le bouquet de Palmer se révèle avec l’élégance qu’on lui connaît au travers de parfums de groseilles et de violettes, suivis de nuances d’écorces d’orange, de poivre de Sichuan et de réglisse. Onctueux en attaque, le vin entame un cheminement élégant et subtil. Il mise sur la finesse tout en profitant de tannins qui lui donnent vigueur et ampleur, soutenus par une acidité incisive et salivante apportant de la fraîcheur. Un Palmer qui souligne son identité, son unicité, son désir de briller par sa délicatesse, sa grâce, sa sérénité et son humilité. Il sait qu’il est grand, mais il laisse chacun parvenir à cette conclusion. Quand la finesse se place au-dessus de la puissance, la grandeur n’est plus à démontrer !  2030-2060

Jean-Marc Quarin 99 www.quarin.com
Couleur noire. Nez intense, fin, fruité et subtil. Nuances de mûres, de myrtilles, sur un fond de vanille et de fruits cuits au chaudron. Ultra charnu en entrée de bouche, avec un déroulé moelleux et un fruité éclatant, riche en saveurs, le vin évolue caressant avant de gagner de la trame dans la persistance. Endroit où il devient plus frais, plus floral sur un fond fruité noir très paradoxal. Incrachable ! Assemblage : 55 % Merlot, 41 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 % Petit Verdot. Degré d’alcool : 13°5 – pH : 3,70. Rendement : 20 hl/ha.

Neal Martin 95-97 points www.vinous.com
The 2025 Palmer was picked between September 4 and 26 at just 20 hl/ha (Duroux mentioned how yields have decreased by around 10 hl/ha over the last decade). Matured in 80% new oak and then racked into foudres the following June, it is quintessentially Palmer on the nose with those almost extravagant floral violet scents that blossom in the glass. Wonderful delineation and focus, touches of Indian ink and cassis emerge with time. The palate is very smooth and velvety on the entry, disguising the substance and weight of this wine. Impressive in terms of density, with a little more grip than the Alter Ego, it delivers just the right amount of spice that gives the finish another dimension. One of the longer-term Margaux wines that would benefit from a cellar in its first few years.

Antonio Galloni 96-98 points www.vinous.com
The 2025 Palmer is unusual in that Merlot drives the blend this year. That results in an unusually juicy Grand Vin. Even so, there’s plenty of supporting structure. The blend is 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Black fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice, gravel and chocolate build into a driving, potent finish. There’s a lot of gravitas and substance here. I am very much looking forward to tasting this as a finished wine; my impression today is that the 2025 is holding back quite a bit of its potential.

Georgina Hindle 97 points  www.decanter.com (at Bordeaux, 01 Apr 2026)
Strongly perfumed aromatics, really quite intense and upfront, so expressive but more deep and seductive with heady scents of roses and blackcurrants. Instantly alive in the mouth, there’s an energy here that’s really captivating. Chewy, succulent, light on its feel but packing so many tannins yet it feels seamless. Aerial almost but there’s complexity with a fine layer of chewiness and chalkiness. Perhaps more delicate in some ways than other more plush Palmers but there’s power for sure wrapped up in freshness and approachability. Sturdy, stately, complex. I do love the darker, maybe more firm, edgy wine. Quite a compelling Palmer for me, more than just fruit and acidity. 14% press wine. 85 IPT. Harvest September 4–26.