ALTER EGO DE PALMER 2019

Alter Ego de Palmer 2019

“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.” – 91/100, , Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

VARIETIES: Merlot 51%, Cabernet sauvignon 40%, Petit Verdot 9%
REGION: Margaux, Bordeaux, France
AGEING: Batches chosen for Alter Ego are then blended and put into barrels to age for 18 months. The fruitiness and aromatic intensity are preserved by the use of a moderate percentage of new oak barrels (25 to 40%)
GUARDING POTENTIAL: Enjoy now or will cellar well up to 15 years
SERVE: Serve at 16 – 18ºC
FITS TO: Margaux rouge loves Confit Lamb Shank, Guinea Fowl Supreme with Buttered Chestnuts, Hong Kong style Roasted Goose or cheese like Mimolette / Gouda
CRITICS SCORES: 96/JS, 94/WE, 90/WS, 91/RP, 95/D
VIVINO: Average 4.3 ★★★★✰

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2019 Alter Ego | Range | Château Palmer

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

ANY WORK OFFERS ENDLESS POSSIBLE INTERPRETATIONS. Alter Ego was launched with the 1998 vintage, driven by the idea of producing another facet to the estate. Spontaneous, round, generous, and silky, this ‘other wine’ is both intense and light, rich and delicate. It has the elegance and grain de tanin of its predecessor. Throughout its creation, Alter Ego is led by the same high standards that govern the composition of Château Palmer’s great wine.

2019
THE SCHOOL OF NATURE

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.