1979 Chateau Palmer Margaux Magnum

Palmer's 1979 has turned out to be one of the better wines of the vintage, but it is not as profound as I had predicted. The wine has evolved slowly and is just now approaching full maturity. The color remains a deep ruby with some lightening at the edge. The moderately intense bouquet of black fruits, earth, cedar, and herbs is followed by a wine with excellent richness, sweet tannin for the vintage, crisp acidity, and a medium-bodied, stylish personality. The wine still has tannin in the finish, but the mid-palate and finish are silky and expansive. (RP) (1/1998)