The Wine Advocate | RP 91
Published: Apr 7, 2022
Drink: 2021 - 2039

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.

Decanter | D 95
Published: Jan 5, 2022
Drink: 2027 - 2043

Gorgeous rich dark purple in the glass. Quite jammy and concentrated on the nose, heady and perfumed with a lovely delicate florality to it too. Great freshness on the palate, juicy but a dark blackcurrant and cherry fruit juice. Beautifully balanced with integrated tannins and oak. Well defined fruit, generous and quite abundant against softly grippy, velvety tannins that just give support to the overall frame. It's serious but with a lightness of touch and playfulness - energetic and lively but still with depth. A great Alter Ego and confident winemaking on show.

Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 13.80%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 
40% Cabernet Sauvignon
51% Merlot
9% Petit Verdot

Chateau-palmer.com

ALTER EGO. IF PALMER IS AN ORCHESTRAL SYMPHONY COMPOSED FROM GIRONDE GRAVELS, ALTER EGO IS A JAZZ RIFF EMERGING FROM THE SAME WONDROUS GEOLOGY.

The Merlots give rise to wines full of power, exuberance, and body. The Cabernets developed a certain coolness and reserve, leading to wines of rare distinction. It is this uncommon coupling that has seen 2019 enter the exclusive club of truly exceptional vintages.

‍While January was marked by a few days of extreme cold, the rest of the winter proved relatively mild. Throughout the season rainfall was moderate but sufficient to partially replenish essential reserves in our soils. Budding began almost a week ahead of schedule before progressing in a smooth and even manner. The spring that followed was cool and rainy. Despite the capricious weather, flowering allowed us to hope for a bountiful harvest. Then, at the end of June, the weather conditions changed radically and a lasting period of hot and dry weather set in.

Fortunately, the vines endured two heatwaves in June and July without consequence. The limited summer rainfall fostered the accumulation of polyphenols in the berries. The grapes underwent their color change in excellent conditions and, by mid-August, we were sure that we had an exceptional vintage in our sights. We began harvesting the Merlot on September 19. The berries were aromatic and loaded with sugar. The harvest continued and we entered the fall under fine, steady rainfall which lowered the potential alcohol of the Cabernet Sauvignon. By October 11, the harvest was complete. In the vat room, the exuberance of the Merlot grapes shone through. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot also displayed remarkable finesse.

Today, both Alter Ego and Château Palmer express a purity and aromatic clarity rarely seen in such an abundant vintage. These wines are elixirs of truth in their faithful reflection of their terroir.

Blend: Merlot 51% Cabernet sauvignon 40% Petit verdot 9%
Harvest: From 19th september to 11th october 2019