Palate

We were able to carefully preserve the silky and velvety identity of the estate’s wines. To find the right expression of this difficult vintage, we held many different tasting sessions, each leading to numerous debates.

The use of new oak was also cut back in order to emphasize the fruit aspects of the wine. Consequently, the 2013 Palmer is an easygoing, fruit-forward, fresh, pure wine with no vegetal characteristics or astringent tannins. A edium-bodied, plush 2013 preserves some of its Margaux typicity.

Growing Conditions

A year of rain. Never have the winemakers known such a wet winter. This was followed by a late and hasty harvest. While worryingly rough tannins were avoided with careful vinification, Château Palmer accounted for only a third of the production.

Winter 2013 will remain in the memories of our vineyard craftsmen as one of the dampest of the last few years, significantly complicating their work conditions. Early in the season, our observations showed a delay of about ten days when compared to the 2012 vintage, which was already considered late. In May, the rainy conditions caused an important amount of coulure. The risk of mildew was particularly fierce. Summer weather was more favorable. The month of July was the hottest of the past fourteen years. The development of the vines remained stalled on a late growth-cycle. But September held an unpleasant surprise for us: rain, humidity and warm temperatures were our daily due. Dealing with the pressure of botrytis became the determining factor for planning harvest.

Harvest

We began harvesting on Friday, 27th September. The Merlot, so important to the identity of our wines, were picked in time and showed a level of phenolic and aromatic maturity that surpassed our expectations. We continued harvesting with the Petit Verdot and the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Winemaking

The aromatic palettes were clean and precise, showing no vegetative odors. This confirmed the admirable reaction of the estate’s terroir in such difficult weather conditions. During winemaking, the must was handled with care to avoid the extraction of any potentially rustic tannins.

Appearance

An opaque purple-color.