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. — 6 days ago

Karita Troberg

9.3

It’s a very balanced, rich and pleasant wine. No suprises, but perfect delivery. — a month ago

Ming L

9.1

The few bottles of CdP Blanc I tasted were all quite good. This is refined and well-crafted as well.

Nose of green apple, lime, peach, hint of honeysuckle. On the palate, it delivers a seamless balance of creaminess and freshness, with limestone mineral and saline thread weaving through. Good length with subtle green notes on the finish. — 2 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

8.9

Rated highly (wherever 93 points). I found this wine OK but not oh boy that is the white CdP i need to store. It was easy drinking now. Almond blossoms and Jasmine…. — a month ago

Shay A

9.2

I’m in the 91+ range here. Had hoped for a more wow experience but this was simply solid and that’s ok. Not all wines need to be stunners.

80 Grenache/ 15 Mourvèdre/ 5 Syrah. Followed from bottle over the course of two hours.

To this wine’s credit, it presented exactly as it should. Warm 2015 vintage type profile which extracts the Grenache (ripe red fruits, sweet spice, little heat) but also accentuates/deepens the garrigue/potpurri profile. Alcohol pokes out a touch on the palate but it’s mostly juicy red berry fruit, little bit of dirty fig, herbal. On the whole, this is a very clean style of CdP that presents with no Brett/funk but also speaks to Grenache (as opposed to being a typical super CdP blend). Drink or hold another 3-5yrs for this window. — a month ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Perhaps it was a mistake to drink this after a glass of the KS Barolo but seemed a bit overweight and lacking in acidity without the layers of complexity I expect in a #chateauneufdepape. It may have come down to insufficient time to aerate. — 2 months ago

Jan A

9.5

Paired with stamppot boerenkool and stamppot zuurkool. Traditional Dutch food. Comforting! — 20 days ago

Charlie Tapp

9.2

Strawberry, red candy, plum and eucalyptus. Feminine and polished.

Drink now. — 16 days ago

Doug Powers

9.2

A little orange bricking on the edge, this lovely aromatic 25-year-old Chateauneuf seems mature and ready to drink, still shows lively acidity which nicely lifts the red fruited flavors, good weight, lingering finish, should pair beautifully with the bison ribeye I will soon be grilling!! — 2 months ago

with Jim

JKT

9.1

Wow aged nicely. Minerals floral notes followed by firm biting texture laced with mature fruit notes and long finish. — 2 months ago