2019 Alter Ego De Palmer

95 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff Magazine

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle edge brightening. Fine black berry fruit, nuances of cinnamon and oak, ripe heart cherry and notes of orange marmalade are in the background. Complex, juicy and elegant, finesse-rich structure, well-integrated tannins, salty minerality on the finish, has great freshness, sure development and certain aging potential, but can already be drunk. Ten years ago, this would have been the quality of the Grand Vins... (2025-2040).

94 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2019 Alter Ego de Palmer is delineated and focused on the nose with blackberry, cedar and graphite scents. More austere yet still complex and one with the most cerebral Margaux aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, quite saline and peppery, firm and insistent grip with quiet assertive tannins on the finish. A Margaux that should be given a long-term lease in your cellar. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

94 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter Magazine

Cinnamon spice on the nose, with a patisserie edge to the fruits that gives a rich, creamy impression. As ever with the Palmer stable of wines, you can pick out the individual flavours clearly, with careful and precise delineation of cassis, bilberry, slate and tobacco notes, but overall this is an outstanding Alter Ego that puts the emphasis on pleasure. Tannins are extremely precise but feathery and pliable. An extremely low 37ppm of SO2 at this stage, in keeping with biodynamic principles and a desire to let the fruit speak. 3.62ph. 45hl/h yield, 45% of overall production in Alter Ego.

93 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2019 Alter Ego de Palmer has a classically styled bouquet featuring a mélange of red and black fruit, briar, hints of cedar, and a touch of black tea, all showing lovely delineation. The palate is fresh and vibrant, displaying a touch of sour cherry on the granular-textured opening. There is something very "old school" about this Alter Ego in contrast to the 2018. Very saline toward the finish, with good persistence.