Alter Ego de Palmer 2025

Alter Ego is the second wine of Château Palmer, one of the leading estates of Margaux in the Médoc, now run by the Sichel family with winemaker Thomas Duroux. The blend draws on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot grown on the deep gravel mounds that define the appellation. These gravel soils drain freely and store the day's heat, ripening Cabernet fully while the poor, stony ground restricts vigour and concentrates the fruit. Margaux is known for perfume and finesse rather than sheer power, and Alter Ego is made in a more open, approachable style than the grand vin. The wine ages 22 months in 225 litre French oak barrels, where slow oxygen ingress through the wood builds and softens the tannins while the toasted staves add cocoa, cedar and a measured spice. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows black cherry, redcurrant, plum, cocoa and tobacco over a savoury, earthy base. The palate is medium to full bodied and elegant, with fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity and a long, structured finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits red meat, game and hard cheese.