Alter Ego - Margaux 2022

Vinous

93

byNeal Martinthe4/1/2026

The 2022 Alter Ego is quite high-toned on the nose, with lavish black plum and blueberry scents, not quite as sophisticated as the '22 Giscours, although it improves significantly in the glass, gaining delineation with each swirl. The palate is relatively understated on the entry, sapid black fruit commingling with liquorice and a dash of white pepper. It coheres nicely towards the finish. A keeper. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

Vinous

93

byNeal Martinthe3/23/2026

The 2022 Alter Ego is quite high-toned on the nose, with lavish black plum and blueberry scents, not quite as sophisticated as the '22 Giscours, although it improves significantly in the glass, gaining delineation with each swirl. The palate is relatively understated on the entry, sapid black fruit commingling with liquorice and a dash of white pepper. It coheres nicely towards the finish. A keeper. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

Wine Advocate

93

byWilliam Kelleythe3/7/2025

The 2022 Alter Ego de Palmer is expressive, even exuberant, bursting with a sweet bouquet of ripe blackberries, minty plums and violets. Full-bodied, layered and velvety, it's suave and unctuous, with a pure, seamless profile.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

Damson plum colour, intense, concentrated and spicy, with the lightness of touch coming in through the floral aromatics, and a lift of white pepper and sage spices. Big punch of fig and blackberry fruit, and a tight umi plum edge that provides contrast. Deft and skilful, great quality. Harvest September 7 to October 5, yield 23hl/h. Thomas Duroux director. First year in barrels and then into larger oak casks for the rest of ageing.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Palmer, Alter Ego de

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

Ripe black cherries, melted chocolate, spring flowers, and violet notes all emerge from the 2022 Alter Ego, a 51% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot. It's a rich, voluptuous, full-bodied, unctuous second wine that has more texture and richness than just about every other second wine out there while staying beautifully balanced, layered, and elegant. I'd be thrilled with bottles in the cellar.

Yvesbeck.wine

96

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

51% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot Le bouquet d'Alter Ego se distingue par sa fraîcheur, par ses nuances de garrigues et de baies des bois puis sa haute définition. Linéaire et juteux, le vin a un cheminement précis. Il se déroule d'une traite, de l'attaque jusqu'en finale. Ses tannins, fins et parfaitement intégrés, apparaissent vers le milieu de bouche et offrent une assise autant confortable que subtile. Un vin de haute voltige, identitaire et profond. 2027-2047 96/100

Vinous

92

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Alter Ego, bottled in late July, has a clean and precise bouquet, with touches of violet infusing the black fruit and a nose that you could describe as "cool, calm and collected." The palate is medium-bodied, stricter and more linear than expected, partly due to recent bottling. There is intensity here, a crisp texture and a very graphite-driven finish that lends it a Pauillac-like personality.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

Opulent and rich, with luxurious, ripe blackberry and blackcurrant character. It's full-bodied and very layered, with soft, silky tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Creamy texture at the end. 51% merlot, 43% cabernet sauvignon and 6% petit verdot. This is delicious now, but will age nicely. Best after 2027.

Vinous

95

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 Alter Ego is bright, punchy and focused. Floral notes meld into a core of red/purplish fruit, spice, mint and orange peel. Medium in body and gracious, with sublime balance, Alter Ego is superb. In fact, the 2022 is one of the most refined editions I have tasted. It is not a very typical wine for Bordeaux, but it is among the classiest and most distinctive, without a doubt.

Decanter.com

93

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Gorgeous fragrance, so expressive and open, scented with red cherries, strawberries and floral notes, violets, irises and roses. Powerful on the palate, clearly ripe black berry fruit but encased in lacy tannins with such appealing juiciness. Playful and so enjoyable, clean, pure, energetic with lively acidity, chalky edges and spicing throughout. Classy and well constructed with refinement. Really quite moreish even now but still delivering power and the Margaux charm. 3.73pH. 15% press wine. Harvest took one month from 7 September to 5 October. 70% grand vin, 30% Alter Ego.

Vinous

90-92

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 Alter Ego is a deep limpid purple in color. It has a huge bouquet as if someone has shoved a bunch of violets in your face and said "Smell that". It just doesn't hold back. The palate is medium-bodied, with a sweet, ripe entry. Quite dense, structured and grippy, with a slightly briny finish.

The Vintage Journal

95-96

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2023

Deep colour. Liquorice, black currant, black cherry, mocha , chocolate aromas. Touch it marzipan. Richly concentrated, chocolaty wine with ample dark chocolate, dark berry fruits, fine grainy tannins, very good volume with chinotto notes. Delicious wine. 51% Merlot 43% Cabernet Sauvignon 6% Petit Verdot. 95-96+

matthewjukes.com

18,5

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

91-93

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

The 2022 Alter Ego is a blend of 51% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it swans out with showy notions of juicy blueberries, black raspberries, and iris bulb, followed by suggestions of dark chocolate, cardamom, and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate has beautifully ripe, plush tannins and a lively backbone to support the generous, perfumed black and blue fruits, finishing long and perfumed. pH 3.73.

Yvesbeck.wine

94-95

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

Des notes de fruits frais ainsi que des nuances de garrigues marquent le bouquet d'Alter Ego. Le vin se révèle avec délicatesse et avec du tempérament. Les tannins affichent un grain plutôt fin, mais ils sont encore assez serrés. Cela n'est pas un souci dans la mesure où ils ne sont ni fermes ni austères. L'expression fruitée se révèle en fin de bouche. Elle est favorisée par la fraîcheur et une fine amertume ce qui permet d'étirer la finale et sa persistance. Un Alter Ego de caractère qui mérite d'être un peu enrobé. L'élevage se chargera de cela.

Bettane & Desseauve

96

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

Étonnant de raffinement et de sensualité, cet « autre » vin force l’admiration de notre équipe. Grand margaux et personnalité unique dans ce millésime.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93-95

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

I always love the second wine from this estate, and their 2022 Altar Ego De Palmer should be terrific. Based on 61% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, aged in 25% new oak, it's a deeply hued Margaux with lots of ripe red and blue fruits, some classic chalky minerality, and floral notes. It shows the vintage's powerful, concentrated style and is full-bodied, with terrific balance.

Vinous

93-95

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 Alter Ego is a total pleasure bomb. Ripe and sensual, with caressing tannins, the 2022 is exceptionally beautiful. Floral and spice top notes lend tons of aromatic presence. More than anything, though, I am so impressed with the wine’s exceptional balance. Especially the tannins. Nothing in particular stands out, as the wine’s balance is nothing short of magnificent. The 2022 is pure and total sensuality. Drinking window : 2027-2042

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Roses, violets, black currants, all spice, currants, and black cherries crowd into the perfume. On the palate, the medium-bodied wine is silky, sensuous, polished, and refined. The fruits are ripe, vibrant, sweet, and fresh. The red pit fruit finish, with its cocoa accent, and refined character is all about its purity and textural profile. The wine is a blend of 51% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. 14.2% ABV, 3.73 pH. Drink from 2025-2042.

Wine Advocate

91-93

byWilliam Kelleythe5/2/2023

A blend of 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.

Jamessuckling.com

96-97

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

The minerality and intensity to this wine is very impressive with blackberry and blue berry aromas and flavors. Salt and pepper. It’s full and linear with a brightness and freshness. Compacted center palate.