Alter Ego de Palmer 2015

The 2015 Alter Ego de Palmer has an odd, slightly static bouquet of black cherry and mulberry fruit that is not as vigorous as some of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with soft, furry tannin. There is good density here, but not the tension and precision that define the best wines of the appellation. Maybe it is enduring a dumb phase. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

The 2015 Alter Ego de Palmer is a blend of 52% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Like the grand vin, this was bottled in late August/early September. The bouquet has certainly dispensed with the precocity that it demonstrated in barrel, now more refined with pure blackberry, blueberry and violet scents, precise and very focused, the new oak very well integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a crisp line of acidity, lightly spiced (clove and black pepper) with just the right amount of plushness toward the winsome finish. Anticipated maturity: 2021 - 2036.

The 2015 Alter Ego de Palmer is a blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 52% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. It has a very open, ravishing, quite precocious bouquet with ripe black cherries, fresh dates and crème de cassis that gain intensity in the glass. The palate is more refined, reins it all back in thanks to quite tensile tannin, a crisp line of acidity, moderate depth in the mouth and a gentle grip. There is a touch of tarriness and cracked black pepper towards the finish with very good length. Give this 5-7 years in bottle.

Composed of 52% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot, the 2015 Alter Ego de Palmer has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and gorgeous nose of ripe plums, cassis and crushed cherries with touches of incense, lavender and chocolate box. Medium-bodied, very finely crafted and vivacious in the mouth, it finishes with great elegance and finesse. 2020 - 2034

This is sensational, characterized by such purity and beauty and with aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate, walnuts, cedar and lavender. Full-bodied, tight and focused — in part thanks to sensational tannin tension that is intense yet polished. Needs five to six years of bottle age to come together. Great second wine of Palmer.

Very solid and powerful with dried mushroom and wet earth aromas and flavors. Complex. Full and chewy yet so polished and long. Spicy, meat and gorgeous. Most serious Alter Ego ever. More inner Ego now!. 52% merlot, 41% cabernet sauvignon, and petit verdot 6%.

The 2015 Alter Ego is just as alluring today as it was from barrel. Sweet floral notes, spice, dried cherry, mint, tobacco and crushed flowers are all laced together in this silky, mid-weight Margaux. Time in barrel has mellowed some of the exuberance the 2015 showed from barrel. Open-knit, supple and super-expressive, Alter Ego is a winner. Time in the glass brings out aromatic presence of Cabernet Sauvignon. 2022 - 2035

The 2015 Alter Ego is round, succulent and also a terrific introduction to the vintage. Raspberry jam, cinnamon, flowers and mint are all pushed forward. This is an especially succulent, juicy Margaux that is firing on all cylinders. Today, the 2015 gives the impression it will drink well with minimal cellaring, as its balance and overall harmony are first-rate. The blend is 52% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot.

Tasted blind. Mid to dark crimson. Floral, aromatic, lifted. Sweet start. Pretty fine and appealing. Alter Ego? Satisfying. Very fresh.
Drink 2022-2030

Very rich on the nose. Very sweet and with sufficient freshness. Very very round. Just on the right side of soupy - but you really have to drink this pretty young, I think.
Drink 2020-2027

This is the second wine of Chateau Palmer and always very smooth and supple thanks to a high proportion of Merlot in the blend. In 2015 it represents 50% of Palmer's total production and the assemblage will be 52% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Maturation in 30% new oak. Deep ruby colour. This has a bright cherry fruit and violet nose with hints of rose. Very fragrant. The palate is silky smooth with very refined tannins coating a core of black cherry fruit. Sweet white chocolate, hints of vanilla and fresh flowers linger on the finish. This is fine, pure and refined. A superb Alter Ego.

The 2015 Alter Ego de Palmer is a sensational wine in its own right. Loaded with notes of black cherries, cassis, scorched earth and hints of toasty oak all emerge from this full-bodied, ripe, yet beautifully balanced Margaux. With ripe tannin, solid mid-palate depth and ample sweet fruit, it shows the charm of the vintage and is already hard to resist, yet should keep for 10-15 years. 2018 - 2033

Sweet ripe fruit the nose has depth the palate is fleshy rich with dark chocolate and ripe cassis the tannins are fine the mid palate supple. An underlying freshness balances lightens the back palate the finish has a hint of vanilla precision length and elegance.

Production was split equally between the Grand Vin and this second wine at Château Palmer in 2015. This is not the most profound Alter Ego I’ve tasted, but it’s soft, sweet, supple and pleasant with silky tannins and bramble and raspberry fruit. Drink: 2020-25

Very dry weather until the end of July was a worry but the showers were welcome and then September was fine at
Palmer. July was the key for the phenolics and August was the key to freshness. 2015 Alter Ego is a very good vintage, like
2005, 2009 and 2010, but the power and clarity axis is fascinating. This is a delicate wine with a very strong character and
rare beauty. With a much more delicate air, albeit with masses of nerve and character, than Pavillon, winemaker Thomas
Duroux describes it as his very own Audrey Hepburn.