Alter Ego de Palmer 2020

Alter Ego is one of the best known second wine, thanks to its name.  Though initially created as a second label for the renowned Third Growth Margaux property, Château Palmer, Alter Ego has a cult-like following of its own. Alter Ego sits within its own class, and if a new classification were to take place, it would be considered a Fourth Growth wine or higher.  Alter Ego is a worthy purchase for any wine buyer – and it never stays on the shelves too long. 

The history of Château Palmer dates far before it received its namesake.  The vineyards were initially holdings of Château d’Issan before they were purchased by the fiery Madame de Gascq.  Madame de Gascq saw the estate’s potential before anybody else did and told Englishman Charles Palmer the wines here were as good as some of the First Growth properties in the Médoc.  Charles agreed with her, purchased the estate, and per the tradition of the time named it after himself.  Charles Palmer tripled the property’s holdings to 80-hectares, and in 1843 sold it to the Periere family.  The Periere family invested a lot of money into improving and modernizing the estate, only to sell it to a group of four powerful négociantfamilies.  Of these four families, the Mähler-Besse family and the Sichel family are still some of the major shareholders running the estate today.

In 1998, Château Palmer debuted their legendary second label, Alter Ego.  Buyers and critics should take note – Alter Ego is not a Second Wine in the traditional sense.  It’s an entirely separate label with different plots and unique production process.  Many, “second wines,” at other estates are vinified the exact same way as the grand vin, using younger vines.  Alter Ego is not vinified the same way as the grand vin of Château Palmer, it is specifically vinified to have a more user-friendly drinking process.  Because of this, Alter Ego is considered one of the best values within the region.  Alter Ego is a unique Left Bank wine because it has a heavy preponderance of Merlot.  These vines are planted within the mixture of graveled soils.  Many other estates in Margaux plant their Merlot vines simply in clay, but what makes Château Palmer unique is their decision to plant these vines in their more graveled areas, revealing richer and more subtle nuances often not found in this varietal.

Today Château Palmer is overseen by the young and energetic Thomas Duroux. Duroux brings with him an impressive background; he formerly was in charge of the Supertuscan legend Ornellaia prior to his working at Château Palmer.  Thomas Duroux was responsible for transitioning the vineyards to 100% Biodynamic viticulture. The viticultural team at Château Palmer has a culture of respect regarding the land, their wines, and their team.  That consistent pursuit of excellence manifests itself in their profound wines – year after year. Fans of this estate should consider Alter Ego to be a worthy purchase if they want to experience a new side of this exemplary producer.
 

"Layered cassis and blackberry fruit on the nose, a pretty serious Alter Ego as it was En Primeur, with a ton of crayon, grilled coffee beans and slate. Violet notes highlighted as it unfurls, and this has concentration and great ageing potential. 31hl/ha yield, 3.73ph, 35% new oak, with large sized oak casks for the second year, so a two-step ageing process (as has been true since 2017, with low SO2 additions). Harvest September 15 to 29." Jane Anson, Best Bordeaux 2020 Second Wines, (12/02/2022) Rating: 93

"The 2020 Alter Ego is very pure on the nose, almost Burgundian in style with lush blueberry, boysenberry, crushed violets and a touch of vanilla. It is not a powerful bouquet but it seems to gain momentum with aeration, finding its own voice with each swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with quite grippy tannins for Alter Ego, possibly because of tasting slightly later (Thomas Duroux commented it is the most tannic that he has produced.) Crustacea-tinged black fruit lacquer the mouth, fresh and very delineated on the finish. Maybe it needs a little more sustain on the aftertaste, though that may evolve throughout its élevage." Neal Martin, Vinous (May, 2021) Rating: 92-94

''The 2020 Alter Ego de Palmer has turned out beautifully, bursting with aromas of violets and rose petals mingled with notions of sweet dark berries and baking chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and seamless, it's vibrant and perfumed, with a bright core of fruit, powdery tannins and a long, expansive finish. It's a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.'' William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (04/06/2023) Ratings: 93 Drink: 2026-2045