Grape Wine Journey

Oak Barrel @ Ch Palmer

My first encounter of Chateau Palmer was at the Robuchon restaurant in Macau, picked a bottle of 1999 Palmer from the well known extensive wine collection.  It was so aromatic, the tannin was very soft, and I felt in love with the wine ever since.

When the invitation came for a wine tasting of Chateau Palmer and also the chance of meeting Bernard de Laage from the Chateau, how can one resist?! 

Monsieur Bernard is very friendly and likes to mingle with the guests.  I asked for his favorite vintages that were presented on the evening.  Expecting he would probably say all of them.  He was very open and said 2000 & 1998, but would drink the 2000 by itself and serve the 1998 with a meal.

There was also a very interesting wine for tasting on the night; Palmer IX Century Blend.  Unfortunately by the time I got to it, there were very little left in the bottle.  But I could still taste a hint of pepper in the wine and Monsieur Bernard said because the wine was blended with Shiraz from Rhone.

I always feel wine tasting is more enjoyable if you have the chance to talk to someone from the vineyard.  So as the evening came to the end, I realized I spent more time talking than tasting all the vintages.  But it’s well worth it!