Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Vieux Château Palon – 2021
Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOC – Right Bank, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A distinctive Right Bank Bordeaux, this cuvée flips the classic Merlot-dominant Saint-Émilion script. Instead, it is crafted from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc, making it unusually bold, structured, and aromatically lifted for the appellation.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry, and cassis dominate, with graphite, cedar, and tobacco leaf from the Cabernets. Subtle violet and peppery notes emerge from the Franc.

Mouthfeel
Firm tannins, medium-plus body, and a long, savory finish. More muscular and linear than many Montagne-Saint-Émilions, leaning toward Left Bank style but with Right Bank elegance.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary, cassoulet, duck confit, aged Comté or Tomme de Savoie cheeses.

Verdict
An atypical but fascinating Montagne-Saint-Émilion that highlights Cabernet structure over Merlot plushness. For those who love Pauillac or Saint-Julien, this bottle is a bridge into the Right Bank world. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Montagne-Saint-Émilion is one of the four “satellite” appellations of Saint-Émilion, known for offering excellent value Bordeaux reds. Few estates here lean so heavily on Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes Palon stand out stylistically. — 3 days ago

Peter Ricci

9.0

Great wine for 14. — 6 years ago

Daniel Martinez Cardenas

9.0

www.hitimewine.net — 8 years ago

Jay Svoboda

9.1

Good stuff. The nose is tart and spicy, focusing on cranberry, raspberry, orange peel, black pepper, pencil lead and thyme. The palette is balanced between fruit, earth and spice/herb. Rhubarb, cranberry and orange pith are the main players, but a solid streak of bitter earth and minerals are right there too. Lots of versatility as a food wine, but plenty to enjoy by itself (or with a cheese platter). — 7 years ago

Katie Mccormick

9.0

Had at a tasting in Gigondas. Still v young but good structure and complexity, will be great in a few years. — 10 years ago