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Awarded 94 points by James Suckling, this is a very fine second wine of the great Château Palmer. He described it as "a delicious and savoury wine". 1998 was the first release of Alter Ego and the 2017 is a very pretty vintage, with ageing potential.
Tasting notes
Silky, yet firm tannins, intense, lively fruit, integrated spice
Aroma
Raspberry, cherry, mint and pencil lead, spice
Allergy information
Contains sulphites
More information
Château Palmer is regarded as one of the very finest of all Bordeaux, just a little behind Château Margaux in Margaux itself. It's not only famous for its wines, but the beautiful four-turret château that was built in 1856 and is an icon to the region. Technical director Thomas Duroux arrived at the estate in 2004, ushering in a golden era for Palmer. He describes its wines as ones of moderation, without ostentation, that need time for appreciation. Second wine Alter Ego uses the same grapes, often from the same plots, as the Grand Vin, but is a different interpretation of the terroir. Since 2008, they have embraced a biodynamic approach and 2017 is the first vintage to use native yeasts too. Lovely intense fruit with length and complexity.