Palate
The Merlot grapes were picked at 13° potential alcohol, producing fruity, rich, and generous wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes came in at 13°, and wine made from them has enormous finesse and very pure tannins. This blending of the 3 varietals has created a rich and subtle vintage, an almost perfect expression of the Château Palmer style.
Growing Conditions
A signature. Good weather conditions allowed the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot to mature perfectly. The grapes were extremely rich in juice and expressed the specificity of the terroir, thanks to blending that brought out all their freshness. Pure Palmer.
The growth cycle got off to a good start in March after an especially mild (2-3°C / 35-37°F warmer than average) and wet (it rained two days out of three from October to March) winter. Fortunately, the fairly cool weather in April eliminated the risk of mildew. Thanks to mild, very dry weather, flowering took place quickly and evenly in May and June, mid-flowering on 2nd June. After a cool and particularly rainy month of July, the véraison occured without any problems before a major storm hit on 15th August (peak véraison took place on 9th August). The month of August was hot, but not excessively so. It was once again cool in September (2°C/35,6°F less than average). The grapes were ideally ripe and healthy on the eve of the harvest. Sugar levels were high – greater than 2000 and similar to 1999. Even though the summer of 2001 was not tremendously dry – which led to a lower concentration of phenolic compounds than the previous year – levels were very good, higher than in 1999.
