Wine Advisor
Palmer 1979
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
I have rated this wine higher in the past. While it is still one of the finest wines of the vintage, it has been slow to completely unfold since its showy days in cask. The wine reveals a healthy deep ruby color, and a dusty, earthy component to its otherwise attractive plum, blackcurrant, and licorice-scented nose. Medium-bodied, with excellent concentration and crisp, high acidity, this well-structured, austere style of Palmer appears to be more closed and less flattering than it was several years ago. I thought it would be fully mature, but as this tasting indicates, it should be held for another 1-3 years; drink it through the first decade of the next century. Will it turn out to be as good as I predicted? Last tasted, 5/93.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Very youthful appearance with a deep garnet core. A divine fresh, briny nose with blackberry and blueberry. Touch of green pepper. Ebullient. The palate fails to match its promise: delicate, feminine with fine tannins. Fresh with a minerally core. Linear but pretty, though it oxidized quickly in the glass. Very old-style claret. Some astringency on the finish. Deteriorated before the bottle was finished. Rather underwhelming considering this is supposed to be a good Margaux vintage. Tasted February 2005.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
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. Anticipated maturity: Now-2008. Last tasted 6/97
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 1979 Palmer is a vintage that I had never tasted previously. I was not sure about the cleanliness on the nose, touches of mushroom and mothballs slightly obfuscating the fruit vis-à-vis the 1971 and 1976. The palate is better with fine tannins, gentle grip and light ferrous-tinged red fruit. It's fresh though missing some depth and substance towards the finish. It actually ends on a high note. I suspect another bottle might be better. Tasted at the Palmer vertical at the château.
About the Producer
The fine seaside climate and soils of Long Island’s North Fork provide exceptional conditions for the making of world-class varietal wines. With 110 acres planted with Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc to supply the winery’s 20,000 annual case production, Palmer strives to preserve and enhance the purity of flavor and distinctive, fresh character which makes this region’s wines so unique. The state- of-the art winery contains the most modern winemaking equipment available today, and also includes substantial new French oak cooperage, purchased each year, for both barrel fermentation of our Chardonnay and the aging of our premium red varietals.
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