Château Palmer

History

Château Palmer's history dates back to the 18th century when it was part of the vast estate of Château d'Issan. In 1748, 50 hectares of vineyards were separated and became known as Château de Gascq under the de Gascq family. The wines produced at Château de Gascq gained popularity and were served at the Court of Versailles under Louis XV.

In 1814, Englishman Major General Charles Palmer acquired the property from Madame Marie Brunet de Ferrière, the widow of the final Gascq heir. Palmer invested heavily in the estate, expanding the vineyards and modernizing the winery. By 1831, the domain extended to 163 hectares with 82 hectares under vine, earning a reputation comparable to Château Margaux and Château Beychevelle.

Economic difficulties led to Palmer's sale of the property in 1843 to Madame Françoise-Marie Bergerac for fr 410,000. The estate was then managed by the Caisse Hypothécaire de Paris until 1853, when it was sold to the Péreire brothers, Isaac and Emile. The Péreires significantly improved the estate, constructing a new château and replanting the vineyard after oidium devastated the region. The estate continued to evolve through various ownerships, including a consortium of four families in 1938, before Thomas Duroux's appointment in 2004 marked a new era of excellence.

Terroir

Château Palmer is situated in the Margaux appellation of the Medoc region in Bordeaux, France. The vineyards are located on the first gravelly terrace of the Brauzes plateau, which is characterized by well-drained soils rich with deposits from the nearby Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. This unique terroir is ideal for growing grape vines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, as the gravel forces the roots to stretch deep into the soil, enhancing the complexity of the finished wines.

The proximity of Château Palmer to the Gironde River and its estuary provides a microclimate that protects the vines from harsh winter conditions and cools them during the summer. This microclimate, combined with the diverse soil variations encompassing 18 different gravel, clay, and sand types, contributes to the estate's uniqueness and the exceptional quality of its wines.

The vineyards are planted with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, which are carefully selected and vinified parcel by parcel to ensure the best expression of the terroir and the vintage.