Wine Advisor
Palmer 1996
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Compared to the ’95 Palmer, this is more reticent on the nose with more secondary aromas: fresh tobacco, sandalwood, leather and a slight clayey scent that turns overtly chocolaty with 20-30 minutes in glass. Good definition though and the palate does not disappoint. Medium-bodied, perhaps slightly aggressive tannins, particularly compared to the ’95, a little angular towards the finish with cedar, strawberry and stoned fruits (dates and a touch of fresh fig) right on the end. Again, it needs more time and the ’95 seems to have more breeding, but this remains a worthy Palmer that just needs to loosen up and enjoy itself a bit. Drink 2010-2025. Tasted March 2008.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This wine, a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, is performing well after its July, 1998 bottling. It boasts an impressively saturated purple color, in addition to a backward yet intense nose of black plums, currants, licorice, and smoke. Following terrific fruit on the attack, the wine's structure and tannin take over. There is plenty of sweet fruit, and the tannin is well-integrated, but the wine requires 7-8 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2028.
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Deep garnet colour going a little brick. The nose is very forthcoming with a good intensity of earthy loam and black truffle aromas mingled with dark cherry, leather, tar and black olive. Medium to high acidity and a medium+ level of very fine tannins. Great balance. Long finish.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted several times, the Palmer 1996 has never really achieved its full potential and on one occasion was embarrassed by the 1997. At the Palmer vertical in October 04. Still not sure about this wine (although others at the tasting enjoyed it.) Cedar and wet sand on the nose. Quite conservative. Moderate complexity on the palate, chewy tannins, strawberry and leather with a touch of cedar. A bit raw in my book. Turning figgy on the finish. I would leave this a few years.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Palmer has finally invested in a new state of the art winemaking facility, with temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, and an impressive new cuverie. A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, the 1996 is a powerful, dense, backward wine that recalls the 1986. The wine is more difficult to judge because of the high Merlot component, and the fact that this wine has not yet totally fleshed out. It is an impressively built, medium to full-bodied, muscular, rich claret. If it develops more complexity and puts on a bit of weight, it will be an outstanding Palmer, with less early charm than top vintages, but built for the long haul. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This wine is extremely perplexing. The color is a deep ruby, rather than the saturated purple/black so many Medocs possess. The wine exhibits a disjointed, hollow mid-section with plenty of astringent tannin. Some sweet plum and cherry fruit emerges with airing, but the 1996 Palmer appears to have a large hole in the mid-palate. I will be anxious to retaste this wine later this year to see if it fleshes out. At present, it is one of the most conspicuous underachievers in the Medoc. Last tasted 3/97
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Full ruby-red. Lower-toned aromas of boysenberry, mulberry, plum, tobacco, star anise and roasted oak. Vinous and rather tough in the mouth, with strong acid spine. This was harder to view than most '96s on my recent tour. Finishes with rather tough tannins. In an awkward stage following the bottling last July.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
More saturated ruby-red color. More serious, darker aromas of blackberry, mulberry, and licorice, plus complicating truffle and floral nuances. Much sweeter and denser though currently a bit mute in the middle palate due to the recent fining. But this wine silky texture, solid backbone, very fine tannins and persistent, subtle finishing flavor suggest that 1996 will turn out to be a topnotch year for this chateau.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the Château Palmer vertical in London, the 1996 Château Palmer is a wine that never quite fulfilled its potential. There is satisfactory fruit intensity on the nose, blackberry and truffle, a touch of vanilla and violet developing with time in the glass. The palate still feels a little backward, but there is good grip and freshness. This is a harmonious 1996 Margaux and yet it feels conservative and straight-laced on the tobacco-infused finish. It is quite a "serious" Palmer, yet it does not quite back it up in terms of complexity or, for want of a better word, "soul." Good...but you end up wanting more, especially having tasted the likes of 2000, 2005 and 2010 alongside. Tasted May 2015.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Tasted over dinner in July 2009.
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.
1955(1)1960(1)1970(1)1976(1)1977(1)1979(1)1981(3)1982(1)1983(1)1985(1)1987(1)1988(1)1989(2)1990(6)1992(1)1993(1)1994(4)1995(2)
Package Size
1 x 1.5L12 x 75cl
