Chateau Palmer Dinner with Jean-Louis Carbonnier

Thursday, November 12, 2015 - 07:30 PM

This Event has been read: 2557 times.

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"You have only so many bottles in your life, never drink a bad one."
Len Evans

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We intend to drink every bottle of great wine that we can!!  And I can’t ever remember a Chateau Palmer that I have had that was not great.  This Chateau was one of the featured wines at L’Ecole Du Vin’s Great Wine Seminar this year and I told Jean Louis when he came back to Florida we would do a repeat performance of that tasting here in South Florida.

Just last night we hosted a Pauillac versus Margaux comparative tasting which included three vintages of Chateau Palmer of which the 1959 was the WOTN!!  The 1966 wasn’t far behind and the 2000 showed why this vintage was so highly touted upon release, although still a baby it is destined for greatness. 

This event features 14 different vintages of Palmer going back to the 1966 vintage including two vintages of the Alter Ego, a second wine created by the property in 1998.  There are 16 wines on the table this evening and the chef at Michael Mina has created a special tasting menu to accompany the wines.   Jean Louis Carbonnier will be here to discuss the different vintages and all of this is included in the $395 price.  The only extra that you will have to pay is UBER or Valet Parking, we only have room for 16 tasters at this event and we are already halfway to being sold out on this event without even sending this e-mail out.  If you would like to attend this “Once in a Lifetime” tasting of this great Margaux property respond to this e-mail ASAP or call 954-523-9463 during business hours (10:30 – 7:30).

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Chateau Palmer Dinner at Michael Mina Stripsteak in the Fontainebleau Hotel with General Manager Jean-Louis  Carbonnier

Thursday, November 12th
7:30pm

Vertical Tasting of Chateau Palmer

Chateau Palmer Margaux 2012

Chateau Palmer Margaux 2010

Chateau Palmer Margaux 2005

Chateau Palmer Margaux 2000

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1996

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1995

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1990

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1988

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1986

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1983

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1978

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1975

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1970

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1966

Chateau Palmer Alter Ego Margaux 2012

Chateau Palmer Alter Ego Margaux  2009

 

Menu

{ 1st course }

Farro risotto | duck confit, bacon, parsnip, turnip

{ 2nd course }

Roasted rack of lamb | white bean cassoulet, baby carrot, brussels sprouts, lamb jus

{ 3rd course }

Dry aged NY Strip | celery root, braised celery, bordelaise

{ 4th course }

Chocolate Mille Feuille | Praline Crisp,Hazelnut Dacquoise,Milk Chocolate Chantilly

 

Dinner is $395 All-Inclusive, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

 

A bit about Chateau Palmer:

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Connoisseurs have argued for the last three decades that Château Palmer is perhaps the greatest source of embarrassment to those who staunchly maintain the contemporary relevance of the 1855 Classification of the great châteaux of the Médoc.  It was for the Exposition Universelle of Paris in that year that Bordeaux wine merchants and brokers gathered to classify the top Bordeaux châteaux into a quality classification system of five crus (often referred to as growths).  Altogether, about sixty châteaux were classified; the top names - Lafite, Margaux, Latour etc. - have since become world famous.  These elite châteaux were among a handful of properties accorded the status of premier cru; Château Palmer was classified a troisieme (3rd) cru.  Today most close observers feel that Palmer's consistent high quality merits premier cru status.

Château Palmer's origins can be traced back to 1748 when it originated from a division of Château d'Issan and passed into the hands of the Gascq family who named it Château de Gascq. The château was purchased by Major General Charles Palmer, who arrived with Wellington's army and decided to settle in Bordeaux and invest money.  Palmer renamed the château, and in the ensuing three decades it emerged as one of the great properties of the Médoc.  However, General Palmer ran into financial trouble in the 1840's and was forced to sell the property.  When the 1855 Classification was created, Château Palmer was mired in problems ensuing from a decade of neglect and financial troubles.  That the château was classified even as high as a third growth was probably in deference to its former glories in the 1820's and 1830's and to its future prospects under the new order.  During the 1850's the power and influence of the great bankers was at its zenith.  In 1853 Nathaniel Rothschild bought Mouton; his rival, Isaac-Rodrigue Pereire, bought Palmer.  The Pereire family invested great sums of money, built a magnificent château, and restored Palmer to its former glory.  Palmer has been sold several times since, but continuity for the last century has been maintained continuously by several generations of the Chadron family which has actually managed the château. In the last three decades Palmer has risen to glorious heights; from 1961 up to 1978 it made better wine than its neighbor, the illustrious Château Margaux.  However, since the resurgence of Margaux with the 1978 vintage, Palmer once again must play second fiddle in the commune of Margaux. Because of its price, quality, and reputation, Palmer occupies what many consider a unique position: in the minds of knowledgeable lovers of Bordeaux, the property is suspended in abeyance between the first and second growths.  America's foremost authority on Bordeaux, Robert Parker, stated in his book, Bordeaux, that Château Palmer should be upgraded to a first growth and says that "Palmer can be every bit as profound as any of the first growths in vintages such as 1961, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1975, 1983, and 1989."  One thing is for sure; Palmer is a third growth in name only.

Château Palmer combines the silky finesse of the best of Margaux with the richness of a Pomerol or Saint Émilion.  The reason seems clear when one considers the very high percentage (40%) of Merlot in the blend.  Also, Palmer has one of the longest skin contacts during fermentation; this explains the great color, extract, and considerable tannin in the wine when it is young and accounts for its uncanny ability to age as long as thirty or fourty years.  Palmer is also noted for its penetrating bouquet, and Parker claims that he can spot a Palmer in blind tastings on nose alone.  Palmer appeared to slip a little from 1980 through 1982.  In fact, Palmer was the disappointment of the vintage in 1982 - it was good, but it should have been absolutely magnificent.  This 1983 is a return to form and now appears to be one of the greatest two wines of the vintage (rivaled only by its neighbor, Château Margaux).  The nose is intense with plummy, new oak aromas.  On the palate the wine is fairly dense with exceptional complexity, finesse, and great depth of flavor.    

After tasting through 300+ wines from the 2006 vintage at the Grand Cru tasting in March of 2007 I can tell you that there are excellent to outstanding wines made in almost all of the appellations of Bordeaux in 2006.  I would categorize this vintage as a Cabernet vintage on the left bank with wineries like Chateau Palmer and Chateau Margaux using record high percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.  This was also an excellent vintage for Pomerol, with some of the wines rivaling even the soon to be legendary 2005 vintage wines. 

 

 

Some information about the vintages we are drinking:

 

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Chateau Palmer Margaux 2012

The principal characteristic of the 2012 vintage is that of a remarkable contrast between spring, summer and early autumn.

In the spring, the abundant rainfall from April to June is well above average.
This cool and damp weather brought about a late yet heterogeneous bud break. Flowering also presents the same characteristics. It begins much later and lasts longer compared to the previous vintage. Taking place in unfavorable conditions it results in a high percentage of coulure in our oldest Merlots, as in the 2002 vintage.
The risk of developing diseases (downy and powdery mildew) is high and requires our continuous attention: as it happens, a particularly healthy vineyard remains the best prevention.

The summer weather changes completely.
At the end of June, the sun begins to shine and temperatures finally rise. The first berries begin to change colors on July 23rd- confirming that the vintage would be late, as in 2002 or 2008. It hardly rains in August or during the first three weeks of September, with only 9mm of rain during this period. These particularly favorable conditions, due to the lack of water and nitrogen, allow the vine to focus its energy on developing phenolic compounds (tannins and anthocyanins), and thus produce good quality grapes.

The weather takes a change for the worse again during the last week of September. The harvest is intense; it takes place at Château Palmer between October 1st and the 15th without interruption and in wet conditions. The possibility of developing Botrytis is constant. However, the low yields of 28 hl/ha, helped maintain healthy conditions around the grape clusters.

The Merlots, rich and exuberant, remind us of the best vintages of the end of the first decade of the 2000s. The Cabernet Sauvignons are linear and precise and in line with a 2008. This unusual marriage harmoniously highlights the smoothness, elegance and refinement of Château Palmer wines.

 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 2010

Back-to-back very great vintages are hardly a frequent occurrence. In terms of quality, 2010 benefited from exceptionally favourable weather, like the 2009 vintage.

Thanks to these particularly favourable conditions, we were able to take our time in order to pick each plot at peak ripeness. In fact, the 2010 harvest was the longest in Château Palmer’s recent history.
Although the alcoholic degree is very high, like in 2009, the acidity synonymous with freshness - and tannic concentration are greater, making for wines with an extremely solid foundation. Their power, combined with a high level of acidity, gives them the potential for becoming benchmarks, and for this to be a legendary vintage. Furthermore, as opposed to previous vintages of the century that are responsible for Bordeaux’s reputation, the ability to choose exactly the right time to pick and perfect control of extraction made it possible to temper the wines’ strength and vigour. They are like a finely cut diamond that, over time, will fully express all the delicacy of Château Palmer’s terroir.

After a late start to the growing season that protected the vines from spring frosts, bud break took place evenly in the month of April. By late May, the size of the potential crop appeared excellent.

However, fertilization was greatly upset by a cold, wet period in June that caused flowering to be very spread out and led to a significant amout of coulure (shot berries), thereby reducing hopes for a large crop.

The weather in July was particularly warm and favourable, eliminating any heterogeneity in the vines after flowering, and véraison (colour change) occurred fairly quickly. This very beautiful weather - sunny, but not excessively hot, with cool nights - lasted without interruption until the end of the harvest.
The 2010 vintage also had a very marked water deficit that grew as the summer went on. This accounted for even greater phenolic concentration than in 2009 (which was already high), as well as very small berries with astonishing aromatic richness and well-preserved acidity. A few very welcome millimetres of rain in the second week of September (35 mm in Margaux) fortunately speeded up ripening of the skins in certain areas strongly affected by water stress.

Thanks to these particularly favourable conditions, we were able to take our time in order to pick each plot at peak ripeness. In fact, the 2010 harvest was the longest in Château Palmer’s recent history.

Harvest dates: from 09/22/2010 to 10/20/2010
Blend: Merlot: 54%, Cabernet Sauvignon: 40%, Petit Verdot: 6%
Ageing potential:  2025-2050++

 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 2005

No one in France can remember drought conditions of such magnitude over such a long period (57% less rainfall than usual), although temperatures were never as high as during the 2003 heat wave.

We carefully removed all the suckers – twice – as well as the side shoots in order to help the vines cope with reduced water consumption. This led to perfectly well-nourished grapes.

After excellent flowering in early June, summer was excessively dry. Just like many other great vintages, this called a halt to premature growth. Drought conditions had two major effects on the fruit:

- small berries, meaning very low yields

- gradual concentration of flavour compounds in the grapes, very promising in terms of quality

The grapes slowly reached phenolic maturity after a few showers in early September. Picking began on 22 September in plots of Merlot. The grapes were impressively ripe and healthy.

Starting with the first pumping over, the wine had a superb colour and filled the vat room with powerful aromas. The fact that the grapes were so ripe also facilitated alcoholic fermentation. In fact, this was the first time anyone had ever seen sugar levels of this magnitude. Picking of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot took place from 30 September to 7 October under clear, blue skies. Daily tasting throughout fermentation made it possible to achieve just the right degree of extraction and retain all the freshness and balance of this powerful, concentrated vintage.

Harvest dates: from 09/22/2005 to 10/07/2005
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon: 53%, Merlot: 40%, Petit Verdot: 7%
Ageing potential:  2020-2040++

 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 2000

 

Due to the particularly damp and humid conditions that prevailed in spring, all vine growers were particularly vigilant in the first part of the year. In fact, summer only really came in mid July, although from then the grapes ripened gently and slowly.

Drought conditions persisted right up to harvest time and although the levels of sugar did not quite reach those of 1999, the richness and maturity of the phenolic compounds was astonishing.

The quality of the fruit, along with immensely ripe tannins and sufficient acidity have produced a truly great Margaux with a long life expectancy.

Harvest dates: from 09/21/2000 to 10/07/2000
Blend:  Cabernet Sauvignon: 53%, Merlot: 47%
Ageing potential: 2040++

 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1996 

Budding in mid April was relatively late. The vines flowered quickly and evenly in early June and ripening was long and slow throughout the cool, damp summer. The vines were in excellent condition, however, and this lead to high sugar levels and excellent concentration.

The Cabernet Sauvignon wines in particular were dense and rich with the spicy, complex aromas characteristic of this variety at its best.

Harvest dates: from 09/23/1996 to 10/08/1996
Blend:  Cabernet Sauvignon: 55%, Merlot: 40%, Cabernet Franc: 4%, Petit Verdot: 1%
Ageing potential:  2030+

Tasting notes from Enrico Bernardo, 12/01/2011:

Ruby-red with slight garnet-red highlights.  Fairly closed bouquet, but showing hints of pepper, black fruit, blackcurrant, paprika, and blackberry.  Rich, tannic, generous, long, oaky, and well-defined on the palate. Wonderful ageing potential. A great vintage.

 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1995

Perfect weather lasted throughout the year and through the harvest . After three months of sunshine and high temperatures in June, July and August, some rain and cooler weather came in September, although this was in no way harmful to the crop. By the time picking began, the weather was fine again; the grapes had reached optimum maturity and were in perfect condition

The wines from the 1995 vintage are remarkable for their rich, tannic structure without a trace of astringency.

Harvest dates: from 09/18/1995 to 10/02/1995
Blend: Merlot: 51%, Cabernet Sauvignon: 40%, Cabernet Franc: 9%
Ageing potential:  2030+

 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1990
Price: $525.00    Sale $462.00

An exceptional year, completing the trio of great vintages1988, 1989 and 1990. Throughout the year, the weather was fine and warm, resulting in high sugar levels and relatively low acidity. The wines are concentrated and characterised by ripe fruit flavours and supple tannins.
A hot and sunny month of July was followed by tropical heat throughout August, unprecedented since such renowned wine years as 1947, 1949 and 1982.

Harvest dates: from 09/18/1990 to 10/06/1990

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon: 54%, Merlot: 37%, Cabernet Franc: 7%, Petit Verdot: 2%
Ageing potential:2025+
Tasting notes from Enrico Bernardo, 12/01/2011:

Clear ruby-red colour with garnet-red highlights. Superb nose! Everything I love about great Bordeaux! The kind of bottle that one finishes and immediately wants to open another one! Hints of wet earth, ceps, blackberry, and sweet pepper on the nose.   Fabulous, creamy, balanced, fresh, round, and complex on the palate. Fantastic!

 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1988 

An exceptionally good year, which produced well-structured wines with firm tannins and good acidity.

After early flowering and damp conditions in spring, the vine cycle slowed down during the relatively hot, dry summer.

At vintage time, growers who resisted the temptation to pick too early harvested healthy, fully ripe grapes.

Harvest dates: from 09/30/1988 to 10/12/1988
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon: 51%, Merlot: 39%, Cabernet Franc: 8%, Petit Verdot: 2%
Ageing potential:  2025+

Tasting notes from Enrico Bernardo, 12/01/2011:

Clear ruby-red colour with garnet-red highlights.  Very musky with hints of rosemary, china bark, paprika, Espelette pepper, and leather.  Pleasant, fresh, tannic, elegant, fairly long, and somewhat original flavour.

 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1986 

The summer of 1986 was marked by record drought conditions. Thankfully, September brought two periods of rain, which allowed the vines to ripen quickly. When picking began in early October, the weather was fine and the harvest had reached optimum maturity.

The 1986s are rich and fruity with excellent tannins. They will require several more years in bottle before expressing their full balance, elegance and charm.

Harvest dates: from 10/02/1986 to 10/16/1986

Blend:  Merlot: 48%, Cabernet Sauvignon: 41%, Petit Verdot: 7%, Cabernet Franc: 4%
Ageing potential:2025+
Tasting notes from Enrico Bernardo, 12/01/2011:

Clear garnet-red colour with brick-red highlights.  Very elegant, almost Burgundian bouquet, with complex mineral nuances. Subtle, superb, absolutely fantastic! Redolent of mushrooms, black truffle, bay leaf, plum, and graphite.  Smooth, round, and silky on the palate with a soft mouthfeel. Wonderful tannin. Intense, very aristocratic aftertaste. Magnificent!

 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1983 

After cold, damp weather in the first 5 months of the year, June was warm and dry so that flowering took place in excellent conditions. A heatwave in July was followed by warm, damp weather in August that unfortunately encouraged the spread of diseases. Thankfully, September was dry and hot, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. After a string of hot, sunny days at the end of the month and into early October, sugar levels were similar if not superior to those in 1982.Thanks to Palmer’s exceptional terroir, 1983 produced concentrated wines with ripe tannins that have retained all their richness and vigour.

Harvest dates: from 09/28/1983 to 10/13/1983

Blend:  Cabernet Sauvignon: 53%, Merlot: 41%, Cabernet Franc: 4%, Petit Verdot: 2%

Tasting notes from Enrico Bernardo, 12/01/2011:

Limpid, garnet-red colour. Complex, but still reticent. Good potential. Hints of mushrooms, red fruit jam, raspberry, sweet spices, rose petals, and gentle on the nose.  Round, mature, smooth, and intense with excellent tannin. Long aftertaste with a gentle retro-nasal effect. An aristocratic wine.

 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1978 

Considering the extent to which the vines suffered throughout the spring and summer of 1978, this vintage was nothing short of a miracle. The Merlots suffered badly from a severe frost on April 16th.

Cool weather in May and June and a mediocre summer meant that vine growth was slow and difficult. Superb weather conditions in September and a glorious indian summer, which lasted through October, only saved the vintage.

Picking was late but by the time harvesting did start, the grapes had reached excellent levels of ripeness with high degrees of alcohol balanced by good acidity.

In short, 1978 had all the hallmarks of a very long-lived vintage.

Harvest dates: from 10/09/1978 to 10/19/1978
Blend:  Cabernet Sauvignon: 53%, Merlot: 40%, Cabernet Franc: 5%, Petit Verdot: 2%
Ageing potential:  2025+

 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1975 

After a mild spring and even flowering, the weather remained hot and sunny right up to harvest time with the exception of some light rain in mid-September. The berries were consequently small with thick skins, with high levels of tannin and sugar.

The wines were deeply colored, fruity and powerful and their good tannic structure made them apt for long ageing.

Although 1975 was hailed as a great vintage at the time of the harvest, certain wines have proved something of a disappointment, due to the fact that many grapes were picked before optimal maturity and because the high tannin levels have required long ageing to soften.

Harvest dates: from 09/23/1975 to 10/05/1975
Blend:  Cabernet Sauvignon: 47%, Merlot: 40%, Petit Verdot: 8%, Cabernet Franc: 5%
Ageing potential:  2020+

Tasting notes from Enrico Bernardo, 12/01/2011:

Clear garnet-red coloor.  Hints of cocoa, black fruit jam, pepper, and blackberry on the bouquet.  Round and smooth on the palate. At its peak. Wonderful tannin. Rich and concentrated, with good length. Fresh aftertaste.

 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1970 

After a slow start to the growing period, the vines benefited from excellent weather conditions throughout the year. June was fine and warm and July brought hot, dry weather with only the occasional and welcome downpour.

The hot weather in September, which continued right through the harvest, meant that the grapes were concentrated and had reached optimum maturity by the time they were picked.

These near perfect conditions resulted in a truly remarkable vintage, often considered to be one of the greatest years between 1961 and 1982.

Château Palmer’s superb terroir is seen at its best in this vintage : the wines are rich, fruity and concentrated with good balance. Over the years, they have acquired depth and show remarkable length and finesse.

Harvest dates: from 09/26/1970 to 10/16/1970
Blend:  Merlot: 44%, Cabernet Sauvignon: 31%, Petit Verdot: 16%, Cabernet Franc: 9%
Ageing potential:  2020+

 

Chateau Palmer Margaux 1966 

One of the finest vintages of the decade.

At the beginning of June, the vines flowered quickly and evenly although after this growth was hampered by rain in June. August was fine but cool, which delayed the véraison and slowed down the ripening process. Fortunately, at the end of August the weather changed for the better and warm dry conditions during the whole of September produced ripe, healthy grapes. 1996 wines are classic and long-lived, with fresh acidity and elegant fruit.

Harvest dates: from 09/24/1966 to 10/07/1966
Blend:  Merlot: 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon: 22%, Petit Verdot: 16%, Cabernet Franc: 12%
Ageing potential:  2025+