Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

8.9

A bit hazy, cloudy and dark ruby red. Thick baking cocoa on the nose with a touch porty, tight black cherries, and raspberries. Strong acidity with medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. Seemed a bit disjointed even with a 2 hour decant. Layered palate with plums, cedar, a bit of animal notes like leather, leaves, a touch earthy and dark cherries too. Long finish. Might be going through a dumb phase and need some time. Drink till 2023. — 9 years ago

with India

Lewis Chester

9.2

2006 vintage. Medium ruby hue. Cedar, blackberry, black currant, some black liquorice, white pepper. Reasonably complex despite youthfulness. On the palate, medium minus body and medium acidity, medium plus concentration of flavour. Medium alcohol. Medium minus tannins - soft. Good length. There's a slight dilute, light feel about this wine. It might gain weight with a bit more age or some proper decanting. Very enjoyable. Drink now until 2026+ — 10 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Dark cassis, lead pencil shavings, graphite, leather, dark earth, gravel. Soft and elegant but this 20 plus year old Bordeaux still needs another 10 plus years to hit its stride. — 10 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.2

1966 vintage. Medium mahogany hue. Deep apricot and honey notes, toffee and butterscotch. Burned fruit pieces. On the palate, medium plus acidity, medium plus concentration with a long, albeit simple finish. Not the most complex Yquem I have had. But enjoyable nonetheless. — 10 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.2

1982 vintage in Magnum. Medium garnet. Medium plus intensity. Power still evident. Leather, black fruits, fresh mushroom, dried fruits. Oak and iron. Medium acidity. Good length. Medium minus tannins that are soft. On the finish, the fruit is dying somewhat and the finish is a little dry. Past its best. — 11 years ago

Benedict Fox

9.1

Spicegirls minus girls, plus bros — 12 years ago

with Will

Peter Park

9.6

Strawberry at first, after an hour of decanting gave way to more of a pepper spice. Very good. — 13 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

In every difficult vintage, anywhere, you will find producers that make exceptional wines. This 91 Palmer is such a wine. I have to thank Clyde Beffa owner of K&L Wine Merchants who has been traveling to Bordeaux for 35+ years for highly recommending two 91 Bordeaux's to me. The 91 Pichon Lalande; which he described as "heavenly." It's just the word I would have used to described it 5 or 6 years ago. Also, this 91 Palmer. He described as, "​I love it-soft and silky." I would strongly agree. You see, critics gave the 91 vintage a horrific review as a whole. Bordeaux had two frosts in April and a cold growing season. These elements didn't prevent either of these producers from making beautifully elegant 1991 wines. I have said it many times and will say it again, taste wines even in difficult vintages. You'll find value and some excellent wines. As for this 91, it's in perfect form. Excellent on it's own and even better with the ribeye. It's so elegant, smooth, beautiful, ripe and well balanced with earth & fruit. The fruits are slightly stewed & baked. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, touch of rhubarb, cherries, strawberries. Dried florals, used leather, tobacco with ash, slight vegetal quality, anise, not too sweet black cherry licorice/cola, figs, dark earth with crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, understated spice and perfect acidity that drips over the palate. The length, structure, balance and finish are in perfect harmony & the finish goes on and on and on. As many times as we've been to Bordeaux, we never get tired of the drive on the D-2 through Margaux and Pauillac. Chateau Margaux & Palmer stand side by side in beautiful prodigious history to say nothing of Baron Pichon & Pichon Lalande. Every year, for my B-day, I have a great steak and an old Bordeaux. It just doesn't get any better than that. And as many of those nights I've had, B-day or not, this might have been the best. Perhaps topping or equaling the Ribcap at Bourbon Steak and the 91 Pichon Lalande. To quote Gary Westby, "it steak and claret night." 12% alcohol is so much more enjoyable than 15% plus. ❤🍷🎉🎂 — 9 years ago

with Gary

Joe Weinberger

9.1

Needs a bit more bottle age but you can tell this is gonna be electric in a few years. — 10 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Dark ruby purple. Funky nose with slate, pencil lead, and medium plus finish. Rich and full bodied. Great showing today for this bottle. — 10 years ago

Jacqueline Ogonowsky

9.9

Love it! The perfect amount of sweetness. — 11 years ago

with Darren

Helen M Gaydos

9.4

Earthy, developed nose with black currants and cedar notes. Medium plus bodied, balanced in structure with a good finish. — 11 years ago

with Mark

Seiji Takeuchi

8.9

Cherry and spice at the end. California. — 9 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.5

Dark blood red in color with a big cherry and tobacco nose. This wine has aged beautifully. On the palate it is bright and fresh but deep and complex, tart cherry, oak, tobacco and strawberry. Moderate plus tannins and moderate acid for a satisfying and chewy finish. At under $40 a bottle, this is a fantastic value. — 9 years ago

with Claire and Susan

David Dornan

9.4

Found this gem in the cellar....Still a lot of life left in it. Decent fruit plus cigar box, meat, and a lot of minerality. Nothing like a 35 year old Bordeaux — 10 years ago

Erik Von Rueden

10

Great full body red. Goes great with Pork Tingas!! — 10 years ago

with Laura

Lewis Chester

9.4

2001 vintage. Quite fresh and youthful despite the age. Honey and nuts, apricots and cream. On the palate, medium plus acidity and medium alcohol, medium body. Great depth to this wine. Still has a good decade ahead of it. No oxidation whatsoever on this bottle. A truly great example of hermitage Blanc. — 11 years ago

Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe

9.4

Red cherry, cigar box, medium plus body and finish. In a really nice spot. — 11 years ago

Levi London

9.6

Strong nose of pineapple and tangerine. Outstanding palette of honey, grilled lemon, grapefruit candy and sweet floral notes. Very long finish that hangs on the back of the tongue. Outstanding wine. — 13 years ago

John Langley

9.5

Incredibly intoxicating nose. Classic style Rioja that will only get better. Vibrant sour cherry with tobacco. Hints of cedar. Medium plus to long finish. Delicious!! — 13 years ago