Alter Ego de Palmer 2023

Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Bursting with aromas of sweet cherries, berries and violets, the 2023 Alter Ego de Palmer is medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with a rich core of sweet, plummy fruit framed by ripe tannins and succulent acids. Ample and penetrating, it's an immensely charming blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.

Thomas Duroux continues to produce singularly textural, powerful wines at this historic 66-hectare Margaux property, where he has introduced a new focus on parcel-by-parcel viticulture and vinification, as well as pioneering biodynamic methods, over the last two decades. Today, cover crops are the order of the day, much of the vineyard isn't hedged, and fruit trees are being planted in the rows as part of an agroforestry initiative. The core of Palmer derives from the plateau around the château, where soils consist of a millefeuille of sandy gravel, clay-rich gravel, sandy gravel again—and then a meter of pure clay; and it's old-vine Merlot, planted on these soils, that lends Palmer its richness and flesh. There are other parcels dotted around the appellation, of course, including a large block of coarser gravel surrounded by trees, not far from Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre. Maturation now lasts for two years, with the first in barrique and the second in large foudres, resulting in more harmonious oak integration and retaining greater purity of fruit.

Jeb Dunnuck

The second wine of Château Palmer, the 2023 Alter Ego De Palmer is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot that was aged 12 months in 30% new French oak barrels followed by 12 months in foudre. This deep purple-hued beauty boasts gorgeous aromatics of black cherry and blueberry fruit intermixed with graphite, crushed stone, and licorice. It's rich, full-bodied, and powerful, yet has great acidity, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It's too good for a second wine and will cruise over the coming three decades. There are roughly 5,300 cases produced. Drink 2026-2056.

James Suckling

A nice creamy twist of cocoa and a touch of hazelnuts to the ripe, rich dark cherries and sweet black plums. Some anise and cumin too. Juicy and structured, with medium to full body and a flavorful, succulent finish. Tight-grained. A blend of 53% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot and 4% petit verdot. Drink from 2027.