Château Palmer

Adjacent to Ch. Margaux, Ch. Palmer is a 52 hectare (130 acres) property located in the Margaux appellation of the Médoc, on the low rising hills between Margaux and Cantenac. The estate’s crops are situated on gravelly stones, including quartz, quartzite, chalcedony and lyddite.
Originally of French origin, in 1815 Château de Gascq was purchased by General Charles Palmer, who immediately renamed the eponymous estate. As the legend goes, General Palmer was as famous at the English court for his military victories as his conquests as a ladies man. However, while in France, he fell under the charms of Marie de Gascq. The beautiful widow convinced him, during a stagecoach ride delicately referred to as «turbulent», to buy her estate.
When the estate fell into financial hardship, several families involved in the wine trade of Bordeaux, English, and Dutch extraction (the Sichel, Mähler-​Besse, Ginestet, and Miailhe families), united to buy Ch. Palmer and a total of 16-​shareholders from those families continue to manage the estate to this day.
The vat-​room was modernized in 1995 with stainless steel vats. The fireplace on the back wall was once used for the estate’s cooperage.
Wines complete their ageing in the chai. The north-​facing window (away from the sun) overlooks the vineyard and frames Château Margaux.
Generally, direct wine sales by a château are prohibited. However, since two of Ch. Palmer’s shareholders are négotiants (merchant firms), the estate recently began limited direct sales of select vintages.
Visits are by appointment only and include a one-​hour guided group tour of the vat room and chai. The tour ends with a generous wine tasting. Definitely worth a visit.