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 TERROIRPalmer's terroir dates from the Quaternary period, when gravel slowly accumulated on the Left Bank of the Gironde. This gravel was pushed by the Dordogne and carried along by the Garonne. The two rivers meet a few kilometres downstream from Château Palmer to form the Gironde estuary. Château Palmer's vines are planted on gravely rises several metres thick in the communes of Margaux and Cantenac. This outstanding terroir, ideal for producing very great wine, overlooks the Gironde. It consists of brittle black lydite, white and yellow quartz, quartzite mottled with black, green or blue, and white chalcedony. There is a saying in the Médoc that the greatest terroirs are "within sight of the river". This saying stresses the importance of the layer of gravel essential for growing quality wine grapes. Château Palmer has 52 hectares of vines. A large percentage of Merlot, almost the same amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a small proportion of Petit Verdot contribute to the wine's unique character. Contrary to a widely-held opinion, the grape variety alone does not determine a wine's personality. In fact, grape varieties, despite their specific qualities, are only a vector for expressing the terroir. The winegower's art consists of matching the right variety to every part of the vineyard and understanding the profile of wine produced from each individual plot in order to make the best possible final blend. We do all we can so that the vine roots sink deep into the gravelly soil. We also maintain a very high vine density - 10,000 vines per hectare - and till the soil regularly. In doing so, we increase competition between the vines and encourage deep rooting. |