This chateau’s origins can be traced back to the Gasq acquisition of 50 hectares from the Foix-Candale family in 1748. This land was formerly part of the ancient estate Chateau d’Issan. Though it had no association with a famous chateau the sheer quality of the wine ensured it quickly established itself in the market and was even served in the court of Versailles.
In 1814 the widow of the final Gasq heir, Madame Marie Burnet de Ferrière, sold the estate for 100,000 francs to the Englishman Major General Charles Palmer. A veteran of the Napoleonic campaigns, he was convinced to purchase the property by the charming widower during a stagecoach trip across the country.
A focused and energetic man, he soon set about improving his property and snapped up nearby holdings in order to expand his assets. By 1831 he owned 163 hectares, 82 of which under vine. Living for the most part in England, and leaving the direct administration of the vineyard to the adept Paul Estenave. Meanwhile he spread the word about his wine in the English court and soon “Palmer’s Claret” gained popularity in London clubs. Even the future king George IV sung its praises.
However, despite this enthusiasm and energy Palmer’s flamboyant lifestyle took its toll and soon he could not keep his head above water, being forced to sell the property for 410,000 francs – a substantial loss.
In 1853 the brothers Isaac and Émile Pereire, two very powerful bankers riding on the successes of the Second Empire, bought Palmer’s estate for the hefty sum of 413,000 francs.
They reorganized the vineyards, resulting in astounding quality wine, but were not swift enough to meet the 1855 classification requirements to raise Chateau Palmer to first growth status. Nevertheless, the wines produced are widely considered to be at the very highest echelon of Bordeaux output despite being technically being a third growth.
The present chateau was erected 1857-1860. By 1870 the estate spanned 177 hectares, with 109 under vine. However, the estate faced troubles in the form of mildrew, phylloxera, the Franco-Prussian War and then World War One. Nevertheless it remained in their hands until the depression of the 1930s.
A syndicate of Sichel, Ginestet, Mialhe and Mähler-Besse families took over the estate – the Sichel and Mähler-Besse families remain shareholders to the present.
Today Palmer is run by Thomas Duroux, an expert winemaker with worldwide experience. He was to start “a quiet revolution: continually raising the level of excellence, answering market expectations, and innovating while respecting the past.”
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