The 2022 Palmer is an absolute peach on the nose, with exquisite aromatic delineation pure black fruit laced with crushed stone and light, almost flinty aromas. The aromatics show a sense of control, crafted in a less opulent style than expected from a warm season or compared to recent Palmer vintages. The medium-bodied palate features fine tannins and a killer line of acidity; Thomas Duroux mentioned the pH is fairly high at 3.80. This wine is extremely precise, with no excess and an unapologetic linear finish. You would never suspect it comes from one of the hottest summers ever. Outstanding. 97 points

The 2022 Palmer is all class. Blackberry, mocha, spice, leather and espresso all meld together in a seamless, elegant Palmer that impresses with its sublime balance. All the elements are impeccably put together throughout. The only thing this is missing is perhaps a touch more energy. Even so, the 2022 is an exceptional Palmer. Yields were a minuscule 22 hectoliters per hectare. Small berries yielded a deep wine that needs time to fully emerge. As has been the case for a few years now, both Palmer and Alter Ego spend a year in small barrel and a second year in wood, a majority of that (65%) in cask. 98 points

Dark brooding fruits, this is intense and concentrated, ripe flavours with an exotic edge, cassis, roasted plum, damson and star fruit with a curl of woodsmoke and tobacco leaf, set against fresher edges of blueberry and iris. This is serious, structured, with everything turned up pretty high, giving the imprint of the vintage in its black pepper, rosemary, turmeric, mandarin peel and clove. 3.79ph, harvest September 7 right through to October 5. Blend done by December, yield 23hl/h. Ageing sees the first year in barrel, then second year in larger sized oak casks to minimise oak impact, something that will be particularly important in a year with these unusually high alcohols. 96 points

As is the case at neighbor Chateau Margaux, the 2022 Palmer is one of the most powerful wines this estate has ever produced. A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, it offers up aromas of blackberries, burning embers, violets, iris and sweet soil tones, followed by a full-bodied, broad and expansive palate, its velvety attack segueing into a rich and layered core. Supple, seamless and concentrated, it checks in at 14.4% alcohol and a rather high pH of 3.79. 95-97 points