After a late start to the growing season that protected the vines from spring frosts, bud break took place evenly in the month of April. By late May, the size of the potential crop appeared excellent. However, fertilisation was greatly upset by a cold, wet period in June that caused flowering to be very spread out and led to a significant amount of coulure, thereby reducing hopes for a large crop.

The weather in July was particularly warm and favourable, eliminating any heterogeneity in the vines after flowering, and véraison occurred fairly quickly. This very beautiful weather – sunny, but not excessively hot, with cool nights – lasted without interruption until the end of the harvest.

The 2010 vintage also had a very marked water deficit as the summer went on. This accounted for greater phenolic concentration than 2009 (which was already high), as well as very small berries with astonishing aromatic richness and well-preserved acidity. A few very welcome millimetres of rain in the 2nd week of September fortunately sped up ripening of the skins in certain areas strongly affected by water stress. Thanks to these particularly favourable conditions, Palmer was able to pick at peak ripeness. The 2010 harvest was the longest in their history.

Although the alcoholic degree is very high, the acidity and tannic concentration are greater than 2009, making for wines with an extremely solid foundation.