Chateau Palmer Margaux 2016 (750 ml)

Powerful tannins and hugely rich fruit balance together in this superb wine. The velvet texture belies the power behind the concentrated, ripe black-fruit flavor, with vibrant acidity giving ample lift. The wine’s structure will ensure aging for many years. Drink from 2024.

The finest vintage tasted from this estate, the 2016 Château Palmer combines equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot. Crème de cassis, graphite, crushed rock and spring flowers build across a powerful, concentrated palate. Despite its scale, the wine glides with purity, balance and ripe tannins. The finish is remarkably persistent, and the wine has the structure for decades of development.

Opaque garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Palmer unfolds with blueberry compote, warm cassis, kirsch and violets. Cigar box, black tea, sandalwood and Sichuan pepper add savory complexity. The medium- to full-bodied palate is rich and concentrated, with fine-grained tannins framing layers of black, blue and red fruit. Latent energy and epic length mark this as a profound, age-worthy Palmer.

Tar, smoke, dark chocolate, dark berries, tobacco and earth shape the latest assessment of this wine. The palate is compact yet expressive, with precise tannins and focused dark fruit. Its layers unfold with attractive harmony and persistence. It is approachable with aeration but should continue to improve with age.