Country: France

Region: Bordeaux - Margaux

Vintage: 2005

Cépage: Cabernet Sauvignon (53%); Merlot (30%); Petit Verdot (7%)

Size: 750 ml

Rating(s): 97 (RP); 98 (JD); 94 (JS)

" The 2005 Château Palmer is utterly brilliant, and it will be interesting to compare this to the 2009 over the coming two decades. Still vivid ruby/plum-hued, it has a beautiful nose of ripe blueberries and darker cherries that give way to more violets, smoked tobacco, spice, and flowery incense-like nuances. It's beautifully textured, utterly seamless, has full-bodied richness, and flawless tannins. It's drinking spectacularly well today (this bottle had been decanted for three hours) yet will evolve gracefully over the coming two decades."

Jeb Dunnuck (JD) - 04/24