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. — 12 days ago

Nishith Jobanputra

8.9

Some fermentation, acidity. Quite refreshing. Satellite Bottle Shop. — a year ago

andy sloan

9.5

Good wine from lidl — 4 years ago

with Emma

Nishith Jobanputra

9.0

Satellite bottle shop. — a month ago

Nishith Jobanputra

8.9

Satellite bottle shop. — 9 months ago

Robert Swart

8.9

Christmas Eve wine. Flavors of grapefruit, white peach and slight lime. — 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2018 vintage. This is apparently pure Merlot, a collaboration between Daniel and Nicolas Roux (Château Coulonge) and Olivier Techer (of Gombaude Guillot fame). Organic grapes and no added sulfites. This is a great example of a so-called, "natural wine" without the technical flaws of so many wines in that category. Lots of juicy cherry fruit, clean and fresh with some spiciness and a nice tannic bite. This is not about complexity, but a delicious no-nonsense versatile wine that can be enjoyed on its own or with different kinds of food. Works well even served a bit cold. Abv. 13,5 %. — 5 years ago

Matt Waring

8.9

Really nice St. Emilion satellite wine. After 30 min the palate is ripe with red and black fruit and vegetation. The tannic bite on the back end is soft and smooth. Great QPR — 8 months ago

Nishith Jobanputra

9.0

Luscious. Satellite bottle shop. — a year ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Lovely, ripe nose of cassis, huckleberry, tobacco, plum and spice. Lovey minerality. Very fine and refined. Palate is juicy and structured with lovely purity, length and balance. Really showing well. Love Fronsac when it is on. Outstanding length. Nose is bright and high toned. Such a lively bottle of Bordeaux. Great fruit soak on the finish and terrific mineral infused texture. 9.3. Maybe 9.4 with air. Much better than my last bottle. Nose has cocoa now. Big plum. Classic right bank satellite vibes. Unreal juiciness. Tangy cassis. — 4 years ago