Chateau Palmer

This is Chateau Palmer, a Third Growth estate in Margaux whose wines can rival many Second Growths (and occasionally is considered the equal of certain First Growths). Prior to its acquisition by the Englishman General Charles Palmer (after whom the estate is named), the vineyards can be traced back to the ancient d'Issan estate, which may date from as far back as the 12th century. Between Palmer and today, the Perriere brothers had made huge improvements to the estate before it was sold to the current owners, initially a syndicate of four Bordeaux families, but now just comprising Sichel and Mahler-Besse. Although there was previously a second wine, the current second label, Alter Ego de Palmer, is a different selection from the same vineyards, but of different winemaking and assemblage to produce a wine designed for early consumption.