Château Palmer 'Alter Ego De Palmer' 2022 [in bond ex vat] (6 x 75cl) en primeur landing Spring 2025

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot

6 x 75cl * 14.5% ABV * Organic * Biodynamic * Margaux, Bordeaux, France

Château Palmer is often touted as the only wine to rival Château Margaux within the commune of Margaux. Despite being classified as a Third Growth it is a wine which, according to wine critic Jancis Robinson ‘acutely expresses its origins.’ Originally its vineyards were part of the d'Issan estate, but became known as Château de Gasq when they were purchased by the family of the same name.

The estate acquired its modern name in 1814, when it was bought by English general, Charles Palmer, on his way back from the Peninsular War where he had fought with Wellington against Napoleon. Palmer eventually died bankrupt, having spent his wealth on his vines! Today, it is two Bordeaux families - Sichel and Mähler-Besse - that have owned Chateau Palmer since 1938.

Since 2004, winemaker Thomas Duroux has been leading the estate, implementing biodynamic farming methods. The vineyards are renowned for their high percentage of Merlot plantings (47%); contrary to the popular theory that one plants one’s best gravel croupes with Cabernet Sauvignon. It is this high percentage of Merlot that gives the wine such a seductive texture and exotic character.

The second wine of Chateau Palmer, 'Alter Ego De Palmer' has offered another elegant facet of expression for the Chateau since its launch with the 1998. A blend of almost equal Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Petit Verdot, this vintage's sunny appeal is concentrated here in the grapes' generous flesh. The assemblage offers a pitch-perfect rendition of the terroir from which it is grown. The wine's light, floral character is intense and refined.

"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." 92 points, Jane Anson (May 2023)

"The minerality and intensity to this wine is very impressive with blackberry and blue berry aromas and flavors. Salt and pepper. It’s full and linear with a brightness and freshness. Compacted center palate." 96-97 points, James Suckling (April 2023)

"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." 91-93 points, William Kelley, WineAdvocate.com (April 2023)

"Deep garnet-purple in color, it swans out with showy notions of juicy blueberries, black raspberries, and iris bulb, followed by suggestions of dark chocolate, cardamom, and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate has beautifully ripe, plush tannins and a lively backbone to support the generous, perfumed black and blue fruits, finishing long and perfumed." 91-93 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, WineIndependent.com (May 2023)

"The 2022 Alter Ego is a total pleasure bomb. Ripe and sensual, with caressing tannins, the 2022 is exceptionally beautiful. Floral and spice top notes lend tons of aromatic presence. More than anything, though, I am so impressed with the wine’s exceptional balance. Especially the tannins. Nothing in particular stands out, as the wine’s balance is nothing short of magnificent. The 2022 is pure and total sensuality." 93-95 points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com (April 2023)

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