Palmer - Margaux 2011

Jane Anson

94 / 100

par Jane Anson le 06/09/2021

A vintage that I have tasted a few times this year, and an excellent one to be reminded of at the 10 year window. Layers of blueberry, plum, cassis and rosemary, sculpted and heavy on the rose and violet floral aromatics that speak of its appellation. As it opens, the smoky notes become more evident, and this is sensuous but reflective of a cooler summer than the blockbuster 2009 and 2010 that preceded it. A hail storm at the end of June meant this is a small yield at 21hl/ha - the lowest since 1961 (until 2018). Needs another two or three years to really open up, but you might be lucky with a few hours in the glass - the most recent bottle of this wine that I had (August 2021) was absolutely singing and ready to go. One of the very few Palmers with no Petit Verdot in the blend, and a rare Merlot dominance, both of which make this an unusual bottle.
”Hold +3 years or carafe 3 hours”

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

par Robert Parker le 02/05/2014

The opaque blue/purple-colored 2011 Palmer reveals a stunning bouquet of licorice, truffles, camphor, spring flowers, black raspberries and black currants. One of the superstars of the vintage, this brilliant 2011 possesses superb concentration and purity, medium to full body, and remarkable length of close to a minute. A tour de force in winemaking, the Palmer team merits accolades for achieving this level of quality in a more challenging vintage than either 2009 or 2010. The “wine of the vintage” in Margaux, tiny yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare, a final blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a severe selection (only 55% of the production made it into Palmer) are the reasons for this success.Winemaker Thomas Duroux continues to fine tune this already brilliant estate, producing first-growth quality wines year after year.

Jamessuckling.com

95 / 100

par James Suckling le 19/02/2014

A wine with currants and mineral character on the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied, with silky, polished tannins and a long finish. Very tight and refined now. Tannic. Palmer only made 20 hectoliters of wine a hectare. Like a tightly wound ball of cashmere thread. Try in 2020.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

par James Molesworth le 10/02/2014

Offers a range of charcoal, bay and dark licorice notes out front, backed by an ample core of steeped blackberry and black currant fruit. The charcoal-studded finish has serious grip and pleasantly layered flesh. Should unwind in the cellar, but needs time. Trust it. Best from 2017 through 2030.

La Revue du Vin de France

16,5-17 / 20

le 31/05/2012

Le château a produit un vin d'une très grande densité, serré et concentré en bouche, doté d'une structure tannique imposante, mais à la finale très équilibrée et suave. D'une grande race. Pour la garde.

Le Point

18 / 20

par Jacques Dupont le 17/05/2012

Fruits noirs, grillé, cerise, bouche ample, large, tannins moelleux, dense, frais, tendu, gourmand et plein, d'une belle complexité. Long et frais, délicat. Grand vin, précis, certes pas l'épaisseur et la volubilité de 2010, mais grand vin d'élégance. O= 2020 G= 20 ans

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92-94 / 100

par Ian D'Agata le 12/05/2012

(a 55/45 blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon; 90 IPT): Fully saturated ruby-purple. Richer and deeper on the nose than the Alter Ego, offering ripe blackberry and chocolate aromas accented by minerals and violet. Juicy and intense, with lovely lift to the small berry fruit flavors. Finishes pure and long, with smooth tannins and lovely floral lift that leaves the taste buds vibrating. This very successful Palmer should be one of the stars of the vintage.

Decanter.com

18.5-' / 100

le 30/04/2012

Dense colour, ripe red and black fruits, superb concentration and controlled power, very polished and intensely expressive, 1st Growth quality. Drink 2017-2035. (18.5 points)

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2012

Chateau Palmer’s 2011 yields of a minuscule 20 hectoliters per hectare were caused by the overall drought conditions, the extreme heat at the end of June, and some problems during flowering. Only 55% of the crop made it into Palmer, and given the lowest yields since 1961, the final blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon possesses huge tannins, but they are remarkably velvety and sweet. This opaque purple-colored, dense, concentrated, full-bodied wine will need time to totally form its personality. The harvest, which occurred between September 10-24, produced a big, boisterous, concentrated wine that should age for 25-30 or more years. (92-94+ points)

TAST

18 / 20

par Bettane & Desseauve le 30/04/2012

Tout petit rendement (50hl/ha!) avec tout ce qui va avec, texture tendue et serrée, mais pas asséchante, plus de droiture que de volupté, assez impressionnant dans son assise et sa persistance.

WeinWisser

19 / 20

par René Gabriel le 30/04/2012

55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. Was haben 2011, 2006, 2000 und 1995 Palmer gemeinsam? Bei all diesen Jahrgängen wurde auf den Petit Verdot in der Assemblage verzichtet. Bei Palmer ist es die kleinste Ernte seit 1961; es gibt nut etwa 65 000 Flaschen. Die erste Expression in der Nase erinnert an einen Harlan, dunkle Rosen, Veilchen, Zimt, Cassis, Black Current, Redwood, selten habe ich einen jungen Palmer so schwarzbeerig erlebt. Samtige Texture, enorm dicht, bei allem Charme voller Charakter und mit grosser Alterungsfähigkeit. 2020-2055

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-94 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 27/04/2012

From an assemblage of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached 13.5% alcohol. Flowers, boysenberry, truffle and earthy scents are found in the perfume. Soft, supple and bright, the wine ends with fresh, sweet, crisp cassis and black raspberry. 93-94 Pts

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

par Neal Martin le 27/04/2012

The 2011 Palmer has a ripe sweet bouquet of black cherries, blueberry, a touch of iodine and crushed violets, flamboyant as usual. There is a hint of cough candy that develops with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm grip. There is a carapace of toasty tannins underneath which lies a core of dense black fruit, although it does not have the same degree of finesse on the finish as say, Rauzan Segla. This is quite a serious Margaux, one that probably deserves longer ageing than others to allow those brusque, rigid tannins to soften. Tasted April 2012

Asian Palate

93-94 / 100

par Jeannie Cho Lee MW le 20/04/2012

The 2011 Palmer expresses classic Margaux violets and roses with cedar spice on the nose. This wine is supple and round with a wonderful fleshy palate. The flavours are layered and long ranging from blackberries, violets and spices. This is a classic Palmer with a very long finish, nice depth and firm, ripe tannins. This is wine which will open up and offer a lot more in the long term. Cellar for a decade at least before enjoying.

Jancis Robinson

18,5 / 20

par Julia Harding MW le 19/04/2012

Drink 2021-2035 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13% press wine. This year it was more a case of 'infusion' than extraction – to get the colour, fruit and structure without too much tannin. The free-run juice was very pure, the press wine creamy. Deep dark cherry colour. Again aromatic, less floral than the Alter Ego (which has all the Petit Verdot), graphite and dark, elegant fruit, not in the least leafy. Really mineral. Tannins are so polished and so fine though they coat the mouth with a very fine layer and add to the freshness. Cool and utterly long and clear. Tannins are very hard to describe because there is a dry finesse but also a creamy roundness that comes later in the mouth. No spicy exoticism in this vintage, plenty of classicism. (JH)

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

par James Molesworth le 10/04/2012

Shows an ample core of kirsch and bright cherry fruit that's very expressive, with flecks of white pepper, violet and tobacco. The racy acidity is well-embedded, and this has solid length, with a velvety edge in reserve that lets extra cassis and violet notes emerge. Should stretch out nicely during the rest of its élevage. Tasted non-blind.—J.M

Wine Enthusiast

95-97 / 100

par Roger Voss le 03/04/2012

A wine that has density, structure and firm tannins, with touches of wood. At this stage, it is solid and impressive; and the tannins draw the great fresh fruit into the heart of the wine. —R.V

Jamessuckling.com

95-96 / 100

par James Suckling le 01/04/2012

Palmer only made 20 hectoliters of wine a hectare. That must be the record for the smallest production in the vintage. Extraordinary concentration for the vintage with full body and rich velvety tannins yet it's fresh and intense. Really impressive and powerful. Wow. One of the wines of the vintage.