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Château Palmer is a winery in the Margaux appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. The wine produced here was classified as one of fourteen Troisièmes Crus (Third Growths) in the historic Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Palmer'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. In 1814, as the Napoleonic era came to an end, Major General Palmer of the British army acquired the property that was to bear his name from a certain Jeanne de Gasq.   Château Palmer's finesse and elegance are legendary, and its aromatic complexity is every bit as remarkable. The subtle balance between powerful, but understated tannins and aromatic richness makes Palmer an incomparably charming wine, even when very young. A large percentage of Merlot (47%), almost the same amount of Cabernet Sauvignon (47%), and a small proportion of Petit Verdot (6%) give Château Palmer an extraordinarily complex bouquet of fruit, flowers, and spice as well as body and structure. Chateau Palmer Second Wine is named Alter Ego.  Appellation: Margaux Areas under Vine: 52 hectares Average Annual Production: 11,000 cases per annum Soil: The vineyards of Château Palmer are planted on outstanding Garonne gravel soil on rises in Margaux and Cantenac. The gentle slopes provide excellent natural drainage. Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (5%) Ageing: 20-21 months in oak barrel Top Vintages: 1966, 1970, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005