You might have had an off bottle (and/or one that was open for a very long time -- way beyond the flight). 2005 Palmer is, as crazy as it might sound to non-Bordeaux aficionados, in its infancy. I would probably not touch it for at least another decade (or two). It is an amazing wine from an historic vintage. The fact that EK was/is serving it is amazing, although I wish they kept it in the cellar for many more years before releasing it.