Alter Ego - Margaux 2021

matthewjukes.com

17,5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe8/2/2022

While they lost 20% of the crop due to the inclement conditions, resulting in a 22 hl/ha yield across the estate, it might have been 5hl/ha more without the frost. I feel for biodynamic estates in vintages like these, and while yields are always low, it is often the case, certainly among the top producers, that the wines are rather delicious. This is a super-precise Alter Ego, and while winemaker Thomas Duroux was worried he would end up with a hole in the palate and hard tannins, he has made a wine that is entirely the opposite. Petit Verdot acts as a marriage counsellor, keeping the other two grapes together, and the results are astounding. Soothing, silky, refined and crunchy, this is a lesson in trusting your vines and also your instinct. Thomas thinks the timing of the ripening of the grapes contributes to the lovely, green floral note found in the finest wines. He describes this as “not unripeness, but just-ripeness”, and who am I to argue. 17.5

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe6/8/2022

Savory black and salted-olive character with oyster shells and black licorice. Fine, almost powdery yet firm tannins. Medium body. Excellent density and structure for the vintage. Second wine of Palmer. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot and 8% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes.

Jeb DUNNUCK

90-92 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/2/2022

The 2021 Alter Ego, based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, is a terrific second wine that should easily be outstanding. Medium-bodied, fresh, and lively on the palate, with good acidity and fine tannins, it has darker, almost blue fruits, notes of flowers and violets, terrific balance, and the fresher style of the vintage front and center.

The Vintage Journal

94-95 / 100

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2022

Medium-deep colour. Intense blackcurrant, dark chocolate/ praline aromas. Sweet fruited blackcurrant pastille fruits, fine grainy al dente/ leafy tannins, some graphite notes and underlying savoury oak. Finishes cedary firm. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 8% petit verdot. Maturation in 50% oak barriques and 50% 30hl vats.

The Wine Cellar Insider

89-90 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/16/2022

Flowers and black cherries on the nose open the wine. On the palate, the medium-bodied wine is soft, juicy, fresh, clean and forward, with a polished, spicy, cocoa-dusted currant and plum finish. The wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot, making this the highest percentage of Cabernet ever used in any vintage of Alter Ego. Drink from 2023-2038. 89-90

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/13/2022

Vinous

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/12/2022

The 2021 Alter Ego has quite a penetrating bouquet with an accentuated marine/oyster shell aspect that combines with the vivid blue and black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit, certainly a more structured Alter Ego than usual with a fine line of acidity and graphite/cedar notes furnishing the finish. This will require some bottle age, but it should mature extremely well.

Vinous

92-94 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2022

Palmer's 2021 Alter Ego is fabulous. Dense and rich in the glass, with positively explosive energy, the 2021 dazzles from start to finish. A rush of dark cherry, plum, spice, blood orange, menthol and licorice infuses the palate with tremendous intensity. Hints of rose petal and pomegranate appear later to round things out. The 2021 possesses tremendous textural richness that is evident from the very first taste. The aromatics alone are especially present today.

vvwine

91-93 / 100

byAdrian Van Velsenthe5/10/2022

60% Cabernet, der höchste Cabernet-Anteil seit Gedenken, 32% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 13% Alkohol (0.5% Chaptalisiert). Palmer hat 8 Hektaren Merlot, die unter dem Frost gelitten hatten, und zusammen mit dem Mehltau hat das Gut rund 20% weniger geerntet. Tiefdunkles Rubin. Die Nase ist feinduftig, schöne Cassisfrucht, feine, florale Noten. Im Gaumen klar und rein, sehr fruchtbetont, mit feiner Tanninstruktur, im mittleren Gaumen mit etwas weniger Druck als in anderen Jahren, dafür ist da eine grosse Frische, die dem Wein Trinkfluss und zusätzlich Struktur verleiht. Im Abgang von mittlerer Länge, endet auf rotfruchtige Aromen. (Verkostet im April 2022. Château Palmer)

Anthocyanes

92-94 / 100

byYohan Castaingthe5/6/2022

Des notes de graphite, de réglisse, de fruits noirs "al dente" pour un Alter Ego un peu terrien et élégamment racinaire. Quelques notes de bourgeon de cassis également. En bouche, les tanins sont structurants, la bouche remplie pour un toucher de bouche légèrement plus austère que d'habitude. Un Alter Ego moins exubérant mais tout aussi structuré que les précédents millésimes.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byWilliam Kelleythe4/29/2022

The 2021 Alter Ego de Palmer is a somewhat unusual blend, in that it's fully 60% Cabernet Sauvignon this year, the estate's Merlot having suffered in the April frosts. Exhibiting aromas of cherries, sweet berries and plums mingled wit hints of spices and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and polished, with a charming, seamless profile founded on beautifully refined structuring tannins. Tasted twice.