The 1997 Château Palmer, with a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, received a 87 rating from The Wine Advocate. This vintage is fruit-driven, medium-bodied, and elegant, showcasing a seductive bouquet of sweet berry fruit. While lacking weight and density, its harmony and easy-going, fleshy personality appeal to many. Despite the weather challenges, the 1997 vintage is balanced and now ready to be enjoyed.

The Wine Advocate | RP 87
Published: Apr 21, 2000
Drink: 2000-2009

A seductive style of Palmer, the 1997 will have many admirers (assuming they can afford it). It boasts a dark ruby/plum/purple color in addition to a seductive bouquet of sweet berry fruit, and an elegant, medium-bodied, fruit-driven, easy-going, fleshy personality. While there is little weight and density, the wine's harmony is excellent. Drink it over the next 8-9 years.

Chateau-palmer.com

1997 blend: 
Merlot 42% Cabernet sauvignon 55% Petit verdot 3%

Harvest
From 10th september to 27th october 1997

Capricious, alternating weather saw the grapes ripen unevenly, complicating work in the cellar. Aging then smoothed over these discrepancies to preserve only what matters most: the expression of the fruit.

This vintage fended off countless threats and was complicated to produce. February, March, and April were all unusually mild. Sunshine hours reached record levels, with above-normal temperatures accompanied by severe drought. Vine growth began on March 3, three weeks ahead of normal, and continued until the start of the ripening phase. These major time discrepancies led to the appearance of the first inflorescences in early May, four weeks ahead of schedule. However, the rest of the month was quite unstable, alternating between thunderstorms, rain, and sunny weather. Coulure and millerandage then slowed fertilization.

August was hot and particularly humid. This led to a slow, unequal ripening along with major cryptogamic threat throughout the summer. A climatic turnaround mitigated any potential damage. Exceptional weather in September halted rot, dried out the grapes, and accelerated ripening. However, the heterogeneity of the bunches led to indecision as to the harvest start date. In the end, the Merlot grapes were harvested from September 10, just ten days ahead of schedule. And thanks to the fine weather in early October, the Cabernet Sauvignon made up some of the lost ground.

Heterogeneous grape clusters did not prevent the eventual production of a well-balanced wine. This uneven ripening highlights the importance of rigorous sorting during the harvest. 1997 is now ready to be enjoyed. This vintage is rather understated, quietly powerful, but not aggressive.