Alter Ego de Palmer 2022
• Domaine: Château Palmer
• Appellation: Margaux
• Classification: Second Wine, Third Growth
• Origin: Left Bank, Bordeaux, France
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.
Tasting Notes
"A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, the 2022 Alter Ego de Palmer offers up aromas of cherries, wild berries and plums mingled with vine smoke and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, deep and brooding, with a layered core of fruit, lively acids and rich, powdery tannins, it's a gourmand, voluptuous wine that will offer a broad drinking window." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (4/28/2023), Rating: 91-93
"Dense fruits, violet reflections, with a hit of iris, peony and roses. This is a serious wine, with intense phenolics and full extraction that just walks the line, edges of ripe cassis, fig, saffran spice, cocoa bean, grilled campfire notes, dark bitter chocolate and fennel. High drama, maintains estate signature, keeping its own imprint and personality. Harvest September 7 right through to October 5. Blend done by December, yield 23hl/h. 3.73ph. Thomas Duroux director." - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux (4/18/2023), Rating: 92, Drink: 2027-2042
''I always love the second wine from this estate, and their 2022 Alter Ego De Palmer should be terrific. Based on 61% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, aged in 25% new oak, it's a deeply hued Margaux with lots of ripe red and blue fruits, some classic chalky minerality, and floral notes. It shows the vintage's powerful, concentrated style and is full-bodied, with terrific balance.'' Jeb Dunnuck, Bordeaux 2021 From Bottle (5/10/2023) Ratings: 93-95
Stock Status | Futures |
---|---|
Appellation | Margaux |
Vintage | 2022 |
Brand | Chateau Palmer |
Shipping Weight | 3.000000 |