2006 Chateau Palmer, Margaux, France 750ml

The dense ruby/purple-hued 2006 Palmer reveals sweet aromas of melted licorice, underbrush, toast, plums, and black cherries. Outstanding density, a medium to full-bodied style, and a personality that recalls 1996, this blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot possesses moderately high tannins as well as plenty of aging potential. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2028.

Tasted blind at Southwold ?06 Bordeaux tasting. This has a very ripe, blackberry, savoury, almost Pomerol-like bouquet with good definition. There is certainly attractive Merlot here that offers gamey, wet sand and earthy aromas. The palate is full-bodied with lovely, saturated tannins, good acidity, firm backbone here underlying those layers of oak-saturated black fruits. Nice poise on the finish with great delineation. Cassis, blueberry and plum towards the caressing, sensuous and yet precise finish. Lovely. Tasted January 2010.

Deep red-ruby. Aromas of blackberry, licorice, minerals, flowers and peat, with some chocolatey oak emerging with air. Juicy and silky on the palate, with lovely clarity and inner-mouth perfume to its flavors of black fruits, minerals and iris. Finishes long and firmly structured, with intriguing soil tones and lovely floral lift. Classic medium-bodied claret.