Chateau Palmer - Alter Ego 2023

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is dense and velvety with a creamy texture. Blackberry, blueberry and stone aromas and flavors. Layered. Very primary and focused. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot and 4% petit verdot."

WEINWISSER: "Intensives blaubeeriges Bouquet, zartes Veilchenparfüm, Heidelbeerdrops und Milchschokolade. Am geradlinigen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, reifem Tanningerüst, perfekt stützender Rasse und mittlerem Körper. Im gebündelten aromatischen Finale ein Korb mit Schattenmorellen, Estragon und reifer Extraktfülle."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Intensive dunkle Waldbeerfrucht, zart nach Lakritze, reife Kirschen, zartes Nugatkaramell, feiner Vanilletouch ist unterlegt. Mittlere Komplexität, rotbeeriger Touch, feine Tannine, Kirschen, salzig im Nachhall, ein lebendiger, anregender Speisenbegleiter."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Wafting from the glass with pure aromas of cherries, berries, plums and potpourri, the 2023 Alter Ego de Palmer is medium to full-bodied, bright and vibrant, with a vigorous core of fruit framed by supple tannins. It's a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot."

VINUM: "Kräftig, dunkelfruchtig, Brombeere, Röstnoten, florale Töne; kompakt gebaut, zeigt Dichte, eine reife Frucht, feines, reifes Tannin, reiffruchtiges, dennoch frisches Finale. Wird früh Spass machen."

DECANTER: "Gorgeous nose, so full, voluptuous, intensely aromatic, violets, blackcurrants, damsons, cherries, plums, tobacco and liquorice and cedar spice. Deep pink purple rim too. Nice weight straight away but with tension - you get clearly ripe fruit with such high acidity. Balanced, relatively lean but still juicy, certainly full and intense but streamlined ending on a real graphite and wet stone note. Slightly more lean and austere than some but not harsh, just not as fleshy as normal. It’s got body and style, nice movement and energy, a hint of fleshiness and subtle chew to the tannins. I like this, feels a real mix of ripe and cool with freshness on the finish. 3.75pH. 14% press."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Composing one-third of the production, the 2023 Alter Ego De Palmer is based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. It's an inky hued second wine that has a round, medium to full-bodied, ripe, downright sexy profile as well as ample red and blue fruits, some violet and graphite notes, ripe tannins, and a great finish. I'd be thrilled to drink this gorgeous 2023 any time over the coming 15-20 years. While I don't think 2023 is the best vintage for the second wines, this is brilliant."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Tobacco, cedar, savory herbs, flowers, currants, cocoa, spice, and licorice pop without asking in the nose. On the palate, the wine is even better. Medium-bodied, racy, fresh, vibrant, and also loaded with fresh, vivid, black, red, and blue fruits, spice, mint, and dark chocolate. The end note lingers with the perfect blend of refreshing acidities, and lush, silky, velvety fruits. The wine is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. 13.9% ABV, 3.75 pH. Drink from 2028-2043."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Opaque purple-black in color, the 2023 Alter Ego strides confidently out of the glass with bold notions of crunchy black plums and redcurrant jelly plus suggestions of bay leaves, graphite, and mossy tree bark. The medium-bodied palate is bright and shiny, with vibrant black and red berry flavors and a racy backbone textured by grainy tannins, finishing with a cheeky herbal lift. The blend is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot."