2022, Alter Ego de Palmer, MARGAUX, Grand Cru Classé

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

This is the second wine of Château Palmer. It is always very smooth and supple thanks to a high proportion of Merlot in the blend. 2022 is 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot.

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 William Kelley, Wine Advocate.

Polished as ever, this Alter Ego is succulent with ripe blueberry and black cherry fruit, together with lifting tones of black pepper and iodine. The tannins are completely melted into the wine, giving a rich velouté texture. Blood orange, mulling spices, cassis and dark plum dominate the palate. Silky and fine to the finish. 91-93 Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners, London.

The minerality and intensity to this wine is very impressive with blackberry and blueberry aromas and flavours. It’s full and linear with a brightness and freshness. Compacted center palate. 96-97 James Suckling.

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 Jane Anson, Decanter.

Drinking Window: 2027 - 2050