Chateau Palmer Alter Ego 2017
(Bordeaux, France) - [JS 94] [DM 93] [JD 92] [VM 92] [WA 92] [WE 92]

About the Winery:
Chateau Palmer earned the title of Troisième Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 classification but the Chateau began to make a name for itself in 1814, when Colonel Charles Palmer bought it from Marie de Gascq, investing considerable sums in it. Currently, the Domaine is jointly owned by the Sichel and Mähler-Besse families, who continue to enhance its reputation.

The vineyard covers 55 hectares, planted with 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. The vineyards have been managed entirely according to biodynamic principles since 2014. The wines age for 20 to 22 months in oak barrels, 50% of which are new.

Renowned for the finesse and elegance of its wines, since 1998 the estate has produced a second wine, Palmer's Alter Ego, , drawn from the same terroirs but vinified separately to yield an earlier-drinking wine.

About this Wine:
Vine growth got off to an ideal start, until late frosts cast uncertainty over the vintage. Fortunately, the river protected us and excellent weather conditions followed. Among the vines, the character of each plot served as a guide. The result was keenly precise wines with bold, unashamed character.

With a significant lack of rainfall and a mild winter, the vines awoke early from their winter slumber. Starting in late March, the buds began opening amidst optimal growing conditions. Then, during the nights of April 27 and 28, the Bordeaux region was struck by a wave of frost. Thankfully, the river protected the majority of Château Palmer’s vineyards. Finally, late May brought fine weather which provided the perfect climate for flowering and the promise of an excellent harvest.

As summer began, it brought several rainy periods which prolonged the vegetative growth of the vines. The first phase of ripening took place on schedule in mid-August. The rains of September accelerated the maturation of the skins and harvest began early on September 20. By September 29, the harvest was complete. From the moment the vinification began, it became clear that the conditions of the vintage, coupled with our vineyard management methods that respected the terroir, would provide an exceptionally clear expression of each plot.

Today, the 2017 vintage at Château Palmer is precise, without excess. The wines exhibit the elegant balance of our most classic vintages. Their velvety tannins and aromatic depth are promises of splendid ageing potential.

Merlot 53%

Cabernet Sauvignon 41%

Petit Verdot 6%

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - James Suckling:
"This is a delicious and savory wine with beautiful, ripe and creamy tannins, as well as chocolate and plum character. Full body. The flavors turn to wet earth and mushrooms with some leather. A blend of 53% merlot, 41% cabernet sauvignon and 6% petit verdot. Lovely finish. Try after 2021." (Dec 2019)

93 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"I love the bright perky fruit that we have here.They had to be careful with extraction to retain this delicacy but have been successful with it. Not enormously concentrated, at least compared to the first wine, but it has lovely classicism, with fresh fruit and some gourmet swirls of cinnamon and chocolate, 3.75pH, 25% new oak. Had some bigger sized oak casks also, testing for the first time on just 60hl. A yield of 38hl/ha because the Alter Ego plots frosted more than Palmer (final count 55% Palmer, 45% Alter Ego)." - Jane Anson (Nov 2019)

92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The second wine of the estate, the 2017 Palmer Alter Ego is a similar blend to the Grand Vin and is 53% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. It has beautiful ripeness and density as well as ample black fruits, licorice, and toasted spice aromas and flavors. With good volume, a big, concentrated mid-palate, and a good finish, it’s slightly more elegant and streamlined than the Palmer and will be drinkable at an earlier age." (Apr 2018)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2017 Alter Ego is pliant, textured and supple. Expressive floral notes add inner perfume and freshness to a core of dark red berry fruit, mocha, new leather, spice and menthol. A wine of striking textural richness, Alter Ago also remains light on its feet and wonderfully nuanced. The 13% alcohol, low by present-day standards, adds to a feeling of freshness. (Drink between 2022-2032)" - Antonio Galloni (Mar 2020)

92 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Composed of 53% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Alter Ego de Palmer is deep garnet-purple in color and springs from the glass with vivacious black raspberries, black cherries and crushed blackcurrants notes plus hints of Sichuan pepper, menthol, pencil lead and cardamom. Medium-bodied, the palate is charged with energy, featuring expressive, bright black fruits and firm, fine-grained tannins, finishing long and lively." - LPB (Mar 2020)

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Attractive black-currant aromas of this wine are followed on the palate by fresh fruits, lit by acidity and bright black-currant and berry flavors. The tannins are soft and open, meaning this wine will develop relatively quickly. Drink from 2022. - Roger Voss (Mar 2020)