2019 Ch Palmer Historical XiXth Century Wine No.19, Margaux

So much sweet tobacco, stone, brambleberry and currant on the nose. The palate is full and compact with very polished tannins, yet they are solid and sturdy and run the length and width of the wine. Energetic acidity. Very structured and powerful, yet agile and impressive. Historic feel. From biodynamically grown grapes. This needs at least six years of bottle age to soften. Try after 2027.

99 points jamessuckling.com

The 2019 Palmer is a truly special wine, but it is also going to need a number of years to be at its finest. Dense and plush, with explosive energy, the 2019 possesses tremendous richness in its dark fruit. As always, the blend features a high percentage of Merlot (43%) which works so well in complementing the savoriness of the Cabernet. Thomas Duroux and his team fashioned another absolutely compelling Palmer in 2019. 

98 points Antonio Galloni vinous.com

Château Palmer Historical XIXth Century Wine No. 19 is one of Bordeaux’s most fascinating and intellectual wines, a meticulous recreation of how Palmer may have tasted in the 1800s, long before modern Bordeaux conventions took hold. This is not a Margaux as we know it today. It is a historical interpretation, built from original château records, vineyard research and period winemaking references, offering a rare glimpse into the past through a contemporary lens.

Château Palmer sits in the heart of Margaux, famed for its gravelly soils that bring perfume, finesse and silky structure. For the Historical XIXth Century project, Palmer steps away from its classic Cabernet Merlot framework and instead recreates a field blend inspired by 19th century practices. Wine No. 19 typically includes varieties that were common in Bordeaux at the time such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Carmenère and touches of now rarely seen grapes like Malbec and even white varieties including Muscadelle. Fermentation and élevage are handled with great sensitivity to mirror historical texture and balance rather than modern power.

In the glass, the wine is deeply complex and immediately intriguing. Aromas move well beyond typical Margaux signatures. Dark cherry, blackcurrant and plum sit alongside rose petal, dried violets and exotic spice. With air, layers of cedar, sandalwood, tobacco leaf and subtle herbal notes emerge, giving the wine an almost old library character that feels deliberate and evocative rather than tertiary.

On the palate, Château Palmer Historical XIXth Century Wine No. 19 is silky, layered and beautifully poised. The fruit profile is dark and savoury, carried by fine, integrated tannins and fresh acidity that give length and energy. There is a softness and breadth through the mid palate that speaks to the blended field style, while the finish is long, aromatic and gently spicy, lingering with floral notes, graphite and earth. It feels less about structure and more about harmony, flow and nuance.

This is a wine made for contemplation as much as food. It pairs beautifully with duck, lamb, game birds or dishes that echo its aromatic complexity. While already expressive, it also has the structure to age gracefully over many years, evolving further layers of savoury, spicy and floral detail.

Château Palmer Historical XIXth Century Wine No. 19 is not just a wine, it is a time capsule. Rare, cerebral and deeply rewarding, it offers a completely different way to experience Margaux, one that connects modern drinkers directly to Bordeaux’s past.