Whilst in Bordeaux, during primeur week, there was a bit of a buzz of excitement with some of the wines from Margaux – and amongst these Palmer was widely touted as one of the brighter stars in the vintage. As such it was with baited breath that we waited for the crucial question – at what price would it come out? Well now we know – we would certainly have hoped for it to be cheaper, but there you go.
2012 CHÂTEAU PALMER 3ème Cru Classé Margaux – £855 per 6-pack.
This is very good wine and has to be better value than either Angelus or Pavie that were released earlier today. Made by Thomas Durou, ex-winemaker from Tuscany’s renown Tenuta dell’Ornellaia this is great wine, at a price..?
Also out on what has turned been quite a busy day for releases, is the rather good :
2012 CHÂTEAU HAUT BAGES LIBERAL 5ème Cru Classé Pauillac – £240 per case of 12
Chateau Haut Bages Liberal. This is quite a gentle, elegant style of Pauillac. No bluff and bluster. Soft attractive fruit and nice bones to keep this going for few years to come. We enjoyed tasting this, as did most of the critics, although Jancis was perhaps less overwhelmed.
Made by Claire Villars, also owner and winemaker of Chateaux La Gurque and Ferrière, this will be good drinking and is sensibly priced at £240 per case.