Château Palmer

Identity

Château Palmer is a 3e Cru Classé located in Margaux. It is currently owned by the Mähler-Besse and Sichel families. General management is overseen by Thomas Duroux, who joined in 2004, with Sabrina Pernet as technical director. Nicolas Pescina serves as cellar technician, and Olivier Campadieu is the cellar master.

History and philosophy

The estate, formerly known as Château de Gasq, was acquired by Charles Palmer in 1814, who subsequently sold it in 1843. In 1853, brothers Émile and Isaac Pereire became the owners and commissioned the construction of the current château in 1856. The estate was ranked a 3e Grand Cru Classé in 1855. In 1938, four Bordeaux families, including the Mähler-Besse and Sichel families, acquired the property.

Since 2018, the vineyard has been certified biodynamic, reflecting a philosophy grounded in pioneering viticultural practices.

Appellations

The estate produces wines under the Margaux appellation. It also crafts a white wine under the Vin de France appellation.

Practical information

Château Palmer is located in Issan, 33460 Margaux. The estate can be contacted by telephone on +33 5 57 88 72 72 or by email at chateau-palmer@chateau-palmer.com. Visits and tastings are generally not open to the public. Opening hours for appointments are 9:00 am to 11:30 am and 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The vineyard covers 66 hectares. The terroir consists of Günzian gravel deposited by the Garonne river over a million years ago atop the rolling knolls of Cantenac. These leached soils, low in organic matter, are composed of gravel (lydite, quartzite, chalcedony), particularly on the plateau des Brauzes (the first gravel terrace).

The grape varieties planted are Cabernet Sauvignon (47%), Merlot (47%), and Petit Verdot (6%). The average vine age is 40 years, including old Merlot vines planted in the 1930s. The harvest is carried out by hand.

Flagship cuvées

Château Palmer produces several cuvées. The grand vin, Château Palmer, is a red wine crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. It is characterised by its structure and ageing potential, with a dominance of Merlot in certain vintages. Its second wine, Alter Ego de Palmer, is also a Margaux red wine, often featuring a significant proportion of Merlot in its blend, as in 1999 and 2000. The range also includes the cuvée Margaux La Réserve du Général.

The estate also offers Vin Blanc de Palmer, a dry white wine.

Vinification and ageing

Vinification takes place in 54 vats ranging in volume from 89 to 195 hectolitres. An experimental vat room equipped with nine micro-vats is also on site, alongside a laboratory. Sulphur use during vinification has been halved. Ageing for the red wines takes place in 225-litre oak barrels (less than half of which are new) before continuing in 30-hectolitre foudres. The ageing period typically lasts between 20 and 22 months.