Alter Ego - Château Palmer

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

88 / 100

par Stephen Tanzer le 31/08/2013

Bright ruby-red. The nose offers a mix of decadent plum, green pepper and fresh herbs. On the palate, dark cherry and spice flavors are lifted by peppery herbs and flowers and framed by solid acidity. The finish is a tad diffuse and dry. There's an overripe/underripe quality to this second wine: I wanted a bit more fruit.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

par James Molesworth le 31/03/2013

Offers a tarry frame melded to a core of plum sauce, tobacco and dark currant preserves. Fleshy and broad, with a good charcoal spine for freshness. Approachable now, but should improve with cellaring. Best from 2014 through 2025. –JM

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/03/2013

An equal-part blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2010 Alter Ego represents 50% of the crop at Palmer. It has been an interesting second wine to take note of ever since the first vintage in 1998. The 2010 displays loads of chocolaty espresso notes, with plenty of punch, glycerin and unctuosity as well as some tannin like its bigger sister, but it is clearly meant to be drinkable at a much earlier age. It will still require several years of cellaring and should last 12-15 years.There’s no question that Thomas Duroux and the staff at Palmer are producing wines of first-growth quality, and have been for nearly a decade.

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

par James Suckling le 17/02/2013

Aromas of orange peel, walnuts and berries follow through to a full body, with a luscious tannins and fruit structure. Long and delicious. The second wine of Palmer. Try in 2017.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

par Neal Martin le 08/02/2013

Tasted at the château. The Alter Ego 2010 has a well-defined, quite exuberant bouquet of dark cherries, boysenberry and cassis that blossom in the glass. There is just a hint of fresh dates emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with an edgy, liquorice-tinged entry. It has a grainy texture, good depth, though needs just a little more refinement towards the finish. Tasted November 2012

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 31/05/2011

2010 Alter Ego de Palmer: For many of the classified growths in the Medoc, the quality of the second wines has soared over the last 5-6 years, and Alter Ego is no exception. The 2010 Alter Ego is the richest ever made. Relatively high in alcohol, this is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Merlot. Thick and juicy, its black fruits intermixed with acacia flowers, camphor, and subtle smoky notes are followed by a plump, corpulent style of wine with loads of fruit, glycerin and texture. Drink it over the next 15 or so years. Drink 2011-2026

Asian Palate

90-92 / 100

par Jeannie Cho Lee MW le 24/05/2011

The deep ruby purple 2010 Alter Ego de Palmer has a lovely perfume of bright fruits with blackberries, blueberries, cedar and violets, and is rich and seductive on the palate, filled with juicy berries and supported by fairly high (14.4%) alcohol. A blend of 51% Cabernet and 49% Merlot, this is one of the most concentrated Alter Egos ever.

Le Point

15,5-16 / 20

par Jacques Dupont le 12/05/2011

Fruits noirs, belle finesse de tanins, fraîcheur, finale élevée, assez éclatant, juteux, délicat, contour bien défini, finale élégante. O=2015 G=15 ans

Jamessuckling.com

91-92 / 100

par James Suckling le 30/04/2011

Floral and blackberry and currant. Full to medium body. Round and velvety with chocolate and nuts. A firm and structured Alter Ego.

Decanter Magazine

17,5 / 20

par Steven Spurrier le 30/04/2011

Fragrant wild violets nose, wonderful weight and texture, succulence and firmness, definitely not a 'second wine'. Drink 2015-25. (17.5 points)

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 25/04/2011

Alter Ego 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Merlot produce a blend that offers blackberry, floral, cassis and bitter chocolate aromas. Powerful for Alter Ego, the wine ends with a smooth, fresh, refined finish. While the wine reached 14.4, there is no sensation of heat. 91-93 Pts

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

par James Molesworth le 31/03/2011

Velvety and inviting, with lovely dark plum and blackberry fruit, followed by a long, caressing finish. This has some grip too, but it's nicely integrated. Should have some staying power. Tasted non-blind. —J.M.