Château Palmer is a Third Growth Bordeaux with a First Growth profile. In the 19th century, it was a common practice to “hermitage” the wines. Bordeaux châteaux would add to their wines a certain quantity of wine from the Rhône – notably from the region of Hermitage – whose syrah would strengthen the structure and power of the claret. A few bottles can still be found dating back to this period, whose labels note the name of the cru and the word hermitagé, all from vintages preceding the AOC regulations which finally ended this practice.

Then in the 21st century, Château Palmer came up with the idea of bringing this forgotten tradition back to life. Years ago, during a visit to a renowned collector in California, Thomas Duroux, the director of the property, had the rare opportunity to taste a 19th century Bordeaux Hermitagé. The emotions experienced that day, in the presence of a wine more than a century old, have been fully expressed in the renaissance of Palmer’s own hermitagé, the Historical XIXth Century Wine. A definitively historic wine, whose name honors the storied past of the great wines of Bordeaux. By law this Vin de Table cannot list a vintage but the batch number on each bottle notes the vintage year. Only 4000 bottles are made on the years they are made at all!

Grapes

47 % Merlot
44 % Cabernet Sauvignon
9 % Syrah (des Côtes du Rhône Septentrionales)

 Tasting Notes

'A deep ruby color. Peppery red and black fruits make up the perfume. This round, supple wine features ample doses of spicy black fruit. The addition of Syrah in this vintage makes the Historic, an engaging wine.'

Tech sheet Palmer 2010