Tasted at the Chateau Palmer vertical in London, the 1959 Chateau Palmer was tasted from two bottles, the first not showing correctly but the second more representative: fine definition and mineralité on the nose with blackberry, cold black tea and nettle, gaining intensity all the time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a surprisingly youthful, still animated keen line of acidity, although it is nowhere near as nuanced as the 1961. It does not have the flamboyance of some of the greatest 1959s, insofar that it does not possess succulent fruit. Yet it remains an impressive Palmer that will continue to cruise along its decade-spanning drinking plateau for a number of years. Tasted May 2015.

An extremely exciting wine, with masses of fruit and excellent backbone. Medium ruby-garnet, with a rich, multidimensional nose of earth and berries. Full-bodied, with hard tannins and lots of fruit and character. Should continue to improve.--1959 Bordeaux horizontal. -JS