Alter Ego de Palmer (2nd wine of Palmer) 2017

Margaux, Second wine

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Tasting Notes

The 2017 Alter Ego is wonderfully lifted and floral, with a persistent red berry character that carries through to the finish effortlessly. The 2017 is a very pretty Alter Ego that will drink well with minimal cellaring. There is so much to like here. The blend is 53% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Technical Director Thomas Duroux told me his team harvested all the fruit in nine days as opposed to the more typical 2-3 weeks. The 2017s were done with no SO2 at crush. Duroux stopped the pumpovers early and favored gentle extractions. Both wines are in the 13-13.2% range of finished alcohol.

Score: 89 - 92

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 01 May 2018

The 2017 Alter Ego is matured in 25% new oak. It has quite a rich, dark chocolate-tinged bouquet that is driven by the Merlot, almost Right Bank in style. It just lacks the same detail and clarity as the Grand Vin. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannin, nicely balanced, certainly one of the more approachable Alter Ego in recent years with a touch of spice and clove towards the finish.

Score: 89 - 91

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2035 01 May 2018

A blend of 53% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Alter Ego de Palmer is very deep purple-black in color and gives up exuberant crushed red currants, red cherries, black plums and mulberries with touches of forest floor, garrigue and lavender plus a waft of dark chocolate. The palate is medium-bodied with a good core of plummy fruit and very soft, plush tannins, sparked by just enough freshness, finishing fruity.

Score: 90 - 92

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 27 April 2018

Inky black colour. Delicate and super-pure dark fruit, Dark and savoury on the palate, rich and deep in savoury black fruit. Very smooth but with attractive density, smooth and dark and very long. Elegant and flowing across the palate.

Score: 17

Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2025-2035 25 April 2018

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.

Score: 89 - 91

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com 23 April 2018

This shows excellent body and depth of fruit. Rich and very deep. Layered and flavorful. Solid and chewy. Serious second wine.

Score: 92 - 93

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 06 April 2018

Lively, featuring lots of lavender and savory hints mixed with black cherry and plum flavors. Shows a light bramble note. Open-knit, with juicy energy on the finish.

Score: 89 - 92

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 04 April 2018

The blends for the grand vin and second wine are similar this year. This is carefully presented, accomplished and precise, with fresh mint and peony notes on the nose followed by bright and vibrant black fruit flavours. It's extremely pretty, with some lovely floral notes. The yield was 38hl/ha as they lost a few plots to frost over to the west of the appellation. 13.5% press wine. 45% of overall production, representing 9,000 cases. IPT 66.

Score: 91

Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2024-2038 01 April 2018