Alter Ego de Palmer

Alter Ego was launched with the 1998 vintage, driven by the idea of producing another facet to the estate. Spontaneous, round, generous, and silky, this 'other wine' is both intense and light, rich and delicate. It has the elegance and grain de tanin of its predecessor. Throughout its creation, Alter Ego is led by the same high standards that govern the composition of Château Palmer's great wine.

2019

Wine Advocate 91: Aromas of sweet cherries, raspberries, berry fruit liqueur, licorice and spices introduce the 2019 Alter Ego de Palmer, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping wine with lively acids, melting tannins and a lavish core of ripe, creamy fruit. It's more immediate than the more muscular, powerful grand vin.

James Suckling 96: Intense aromas of blackcurrants, cedar and ripe tobacco with hints of violets, following through to a full-bodied palate with extremely refined tannins that are well-integrated into the wine and are long and subtle at the finish. Such precision and harmony with structure. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best after 2023.

Vinous 93: The 2019 Alter Ego de Palmer has a classically styled bouquet featuring a mélange of red and black fruit, briar, hints of cedar, and a touch of black tea, all showing lovely delineation. The palate is fresh and vibrant, displaying a touch of sour cherry on the granular-textured opening. There is something very "old school" about this Alter Ego in contrast to the 2018. Very saline toward the finish, with good persistence.

Wine Enthusiast 94: Finely perfumed, the wine has ripe tannins and well-crafted textures. The wine's black fruits are forward, showing complex structures and the promise of fine aging. This second wine of Château Palmer will age well. Drink from 2026. Organic and biodynamic.

Falstaff 95: Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle edge brightening. Fine black berry fruit, nuances of cinnamon and oak, ripe heart cherry and notes of orange marmalade are in the background. Complex, juicy and elegant, finesse-rich structure, well-integrated tannins, salty minerality on the finish, has great freshness, sure development and certain ageing potential, but can already be drunk. Ten years ago, this would have been the quality of the Grand Vins ...

2021

Wine Advocate 92: Bursting with aromas of blackberries, mint, violets and pencil shavings, the 2021 Alter Ego de Palmer is medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with impressive density and ripeness for the vintage, its deep core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannin. Like the grand vin, it's a very strong effort this year.

James Suckling 93: This bright wine has very pretty fruit, with al dente blackcurrants as well as minerals and clove-like spices. Medium body, crunchy and minerally. Vivid with some iodine too.

Decanter 94: Quite a rich, dark heady nose, full of blackcurrants, bramble leaf, raspberry and some dried herbs with floral touches too. Smooth and supple, you can feel the concentration in the mouth but the texture is so silky and fresh too. Bursting with energy and brightness - the fruit has a ripe touch to it - plummy and blackcurrant but the acidity is great giving a real lean and direct frame to the wine and driving it from start to finish. Polished and very enjoyable still with lots of flavour. A real cool element to the dark fruit - it’s not rich and chewy and exuberant and plush, it’s streamlined but full of juicy brightness and then a slick wet slate touch to the finish. Perfumed all the way through with cola, blueberry and liquorice touches as well. Serious and layered. A successful second wine to match the gorgeous grand vin.

Wine Enthusiast 95: Lush berry aromas and layers of wood give this second-label wine its rich character. It has black-pepper spice and solid tannins along with structured, opulent black fruits. Drink from 2027.