The 2022 Château Palmer is utterly brilliant, so much so that I questioned in my notes if this would challenge the 2018. A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, from tiny yields of 22 hectoliters per hectare, its mammoth-sized personality offers layers of blue and black fruits, notes of melted chocolate, crushed stone, and spring flowers, building, velvety tannins, and a great, great finish. While many estates commented that they extracted less in the vintage, Palmer went in a different direction and extracted more during the vinifications to provide a solid backbone to match the concentration and power of the vintage. It appears to have worked brilliantly, and hats off to Thomas Duroux for having the confidence to go his own path. He has produced a truly Grand Vin in 2022. The alcohol here is a normal 14.4%, and the pH is a healthy 3.79. ~99 Jeb Dunnuck
Deep dark ruby in colour with an opaque core, purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. An inviting bouquet on the nose, with subtle hints of fine oak and nougat, attractively fruity with notes of black forest berry, ripe plum, and some violet florals. The palate is powerful, with pronounced, supporting tannins, good freshness, fine ripe dark berry fruit and a refreshing, finely fruited finish which lingers for minutes, close to perfection. ~99 Falstaff
This majestic aromatic wine is fine and stylish. It has layers of rich black fruits and firm tannins. This will be a great wine that has acidity, structure embedded within it. The wine is rich, but beautifully textured and with a great future. ~99 Wine Enthusiast
Lots of creme de cassis with cedar, dried flowers, blackberries and dark cherries. Opulent and flamboyant. Full-bodied and layered, this grows with plush, velvety tannins that caress every inch of your palate. Extremely long and attractive in the finish. Well-designed in this ripe year. 51% merlot, 45% cabernet sauvignon, and 4% petit verdot. Best after 2029. ~98 James Suckling
The 2022 Palmer is all class. Blackberry, mocha, spice, leather and espresso all meld together in a seamless, elegant Palmer that impresses with its sublime balance. All the elements are impeccably put together throughout. The only thing this is missing is perhaps a touch more energy. Even so, the 2022 is an exceptional Palmer. Yields were a minuscule 22 hectoliters per hectare. Small berries yielded a deep wine that needs time to fully emerge. As has been the case for a few years now, both Palmer and Alter Ego spend a year in small barrel and a second year in wood, a majority of that (65%) in cask. ~98 Vinous Media
Composed of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2022 Palmer is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs quite a lot of shaking to wake up scents of boysenberry preserves, crème de cassis, and dark chocolate, opening out to hints of iris, star anise, sandalwood, and forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with blackberry layers, supported by velvety tannins and well-matched freshness, finishing with a firework display of mineral sparks. Stunning! ~98 The Wine Palate
Expressive and well-delineated, with singed iris, ink and alder accents leading off, followed by dark currant, blackberry and black cherry paste flavors that are both lush and racy in feel. Warm paving stone and dark tobacco gird the finish, which has ample structure for the cellar, Shows the floral lift and showy fruit of the vintage married to a growl of real terroir. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2050. 8,000 cases made. ~97 Wine Spectator
Sharp, energetic, racy and electric. The power and concentration is evident in the dark, rich, concentrated fruit with tannins that grip and take hold with a crushed stone texture, liquorice, graphite, tobacco and cool mint spice. The expression is exceptionally delineated with focus and push from start to finish. Quite bold and charged, but I love the succulence, the perfumed fruit, chalky sensation and overall sense of confidence. In high definition in terms of sharpness and tang to the fruit. A big wine but delivered with poise. 3.79pH. 13% press wine. ~97 Decanter
