Château Palmer is a Biodynamic estate in the commune of Margaux on the Bordeaux region’s left bank. Red wines are made under the Margaux AOC.
Owner: British, Dutch and French owned (the château flies the flags of all three nations). The majority shareholding lies with Mähler-Besse, a merchant.
Classification: 1855 Classification 3rd Growth. ‘A candidate for promotion to First Growth status,’ (Hugh Johnson (Wine Companion: 1991, p.55).
Staff: Director: Thomas Duroux. Export Director: Christopher Myers.
Vineyard: ‘A superb situation on the gravel rise just above Château Margaux,’ (Hugh Johnson: Wine Companion: 1991, p.55).
Biodynamics: 2011 Organic trials began. | 2013 Biodynamic practices on around 5 hectares (12.35 acres) (Source: Christopher Myers 2016). | 2014 The entire vineyard was being managed Biodynamically, with certification in course (see below).
Polyculture: The estate has 80 sheep, plus its own herd of cows for the manure needed to make the Biodynamic Horn manure 500 spray preparation (Source: Christopher Myers 2016).
Certification: 2014 First vintage with full organic certification for 18 hectares (44.5 acres) with the rest of the vines in conversion. | 2016 First vintage with full organic certification for the whole estate. | 2017 Full Demeter Biodynamic certification for the first time from the 2017 vintage.
Red wines
Margaux AOC, Château Palmer: 1961 Palmer owed its reputation in the 20th-century to a legendary 1961. This was built around Merlot vines which were peaking, having been planted in the 1930s. | 1986 Cork taint at a Christmas Day 2005 dinner, at Blervie House, Forres, Scotland.
Contact
Château Palmer
Issan, F-33460 Margaux (Gironde), France
Tel+33 (0)5.57.88.72.72 | www.chateau-palmer.com
Bibliography
Christopher Myers, at the Innovation Forum event, London 15 March 2016.