Palmer 2004

Margaux, Third Growth

Excel download

View All Vintages of this Wine

Units Size Case size GBP Price: Quantities Buy
6 75cl Bottle Case 6 £1,150 per Case Case [Add to shopping basket]
Tasting Notes

Deep crimson brightness. Sweetly oaky - intense and immediately recognisable bread dough aroma. Underneath that there’s fine pure upright cassis but also sweet spice and plum and tobacco. Already surprisingly complex. Intense but fleeting floral perfume as that breadiness disappears. On the palate, masses of liquorice and sweet bright expressive fruit. Red and black fruit. Dramatic fruit even though the spice of the oak is still very clear. Toasty sweet spice and coffee. Rich and opulent fruit. Tannins are finely textured and a little firm but velvety. Long way to go though already generous. Delicious. Great finesse and fine-boned though it does show the oak a little more than the 2006.

Score: 18

Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2012-2030 28 September 2009

This is a stunning Palmer considering the growing season and for this writer, on par with Chateau Margaux. It has a deep garnet/purple hue. The nose is divine: pure black fruits, bilberry, cedar and a touch of iodine all with fabulous definition. The palate is full-bodied with very fine tannins, modern in style but exuding pedigree and class. Very refined on the finish with just a slight peppery edge. Love this wine, love it! Drink 2016-2035. Tasted November 2008.

Score: 95

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2035 01 March 2009

This stunning wine is one of the vintage’s great successes. Administrator Thomas Duroux has fashioned a modern day version of Palmer’s brilliant 1966. Displaying a rare combination of power and elegance, this dense purple-colored offering exhibits notes of blackberries, truffles, flowers, incense, and camphor. Long, classic, and medium to full-bodied with stunning texture and richness, this superb effort is a candidate for the finest Margaux of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025+. Also tasted: 2004 Alter Ego de Palmer (88)

Score: 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011-2025 01 June 2007

One of the stars of the vintage, the 2004 Palmer, a blend of 47% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, is a significantly richer, fuller-bodied, and potentially more complex wine than the 2003, 2002, and 2001. The 2004's dense blue/purple color is followed by an extraordinary nose of acacia flowers, charcoal, creme de cassis, and grilled meats. This powerful, heady, full-bodied effort may turn out to be a modern day version of Palmer’s brilliant 1966. It requires 5-7 years of cellaring, and should drink well for 2-3 decades. Bravo!

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011-2036 01 June 2006

A significant improvement over the 2003, Palmer’s 2004 (47% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Petit Verdot), which was harvested between September 27 and October 12, possesses a high level of tannin. Only about one-third of the crop made it into this dense ruby/purple-colored effort. Notes of licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and grilled meats are found in this pure, rich, fat Margaux. Classically structured, medium-bodied, long, and firmly tannic, it should be at its peak between 2010-2025.

Score: 90 - 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2025 30 April 2005

Deep red. Rich aromas of plum, redcurrant, chocolate and smoke. Sweet, lush and smooth, with a wonderfully fine-grained texture for the year. Highly expressive flavors of currant, cedar, chocolate and tobacco. The wine's subtle sweetness, suave tannins and sneaky persistence convey an impression of very regular ripeness.

Score: 92

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2007

Aromas of licorice, tar and mineral follow through to a full-bodied palate, with silky tannins and a medium finish. A very pretty wine already. Falls a little short, but still outstanding. Best after 2009. 6,000 cases made.

Score: 91

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2009+ 31 March 2007

Exceptionally good - energetic and very Margaux. Very dark crimson. Really quite rich on the nose. Much more buried than Alter Ego of course, but with some intriguing high notes. Lovely fresh, intense palate entry - all wonderfully integrated and vivacious. Very smart and Margaux - nothing too sweet or ripe but beautifully integrated. Great success! Real structure but with polish too. Lovely wine. Classic assemblage. New manager Thomas Duroux arrived in July - a good start. Lovely finesse. not so very different from Ch Margaux this year..

Score: 18 - 19

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2013-2027 02 September 2005