Chateau Palmer, classified a Third Growth Bordeaux, is in the commune of Cantenac, the heart of the Margaux appellation.

The Palmer vineyards, originally part of the larger estate of Chateau d’Issan, cover 66 hectares of gravelly soil on terraces overlooking the Garonne River. There are equal amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (47% each). The remainder is Petit Verdot. From 2014 forward, the entire property has been farmed biodynamically.

Chateau Palmer is named after Major General Charles Palmer of the British Army, who bought the estate in 1814 from Marie de Gascq. A passionate man, he invested a great deal of time, energy and money to develop his property, purchasing land and buildings in the communes of Cantenac, Issan, and Margaux, and by the 1830s, his property covered 163 hectares, 82 hectares of which were vineyards. “Palmer's Claret” quickly gained popularity in London clubs and even found favor in the eyes of the future King George IV.

Charles sold the estate in 1843. The current owners, the Sichel and Mahler-Besse families, have been in place since 1938. Their focus throughout has been on authenticity, quality and consistency.

Alter Ego is a different, nuanced expression of the Chateau Palmer terroir. Born with the 1998 vintage, Alter Ego resulted from a new approach to selecting and blending, intended to interpret the Chateau Palmer terroir differently without departing from the values that make the reputation of the estate’s wines – namely, finesse and elegance, aromatic richness, harmony and length.

Made in roughly the same volume as Chateau Palmer, Alter Ego spends less time in oak, just 16 to 18 months, and only 25% to 40% of the wood is new.

Offering intense, crispy and juicy fruits, Alter Ego is a spontaneous uninhibited wine, soft and round as soon as it has finished barrel aging. Its lush aromas and supple tannins make it a wine that can be appreciated in the first years after bottling.

The 2023 Palmer Alter Ego is a Bordeaux blend from the renowned Chateau Palmer in the Margaux sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine, closed with a cork, is composed of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot.

James Suckling gave the wine an excellent review, awarding it 96 points. He describes it as "dense and velvety with a creamy texture" and highlights the "blackberry, blueberry, and stone aromas and flavors." According to Suckling, the wine is "very primary and focused" (jamessuckling.com).

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, through reviewer William Kelley, rated the wine 94 points. Kelley notes the "pure aromas of cherries, berries, plums, and potpourri," and describes the wine as "medium to full-bodied, bright and vibrant, with a vigorous core of fruit framed by supple tannins" (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate).

Vinous reviewer Antonio Galloni awarded the 2023 Alter Ego 95 points, praising its "plump, juicy, and super-expressive" nature. Galloni mentions that the wine has "soft, silky tannins" with a core of "plum, red cherry, spice, menthol, and mocha," and concludes that it is "such a sensual Alter Ego" (Vinous).

Jane Anson, giving it 93 points, mentions the wine’s "vivid ruby plum color" and "great depth of flavor," noting the balance of "spiced plum, fennel, rosemary, and anis with juicy blackberry and damson fruit." Anson also highlights the structured nature of the wine, impacted by the August and early September heat waves, which resulted in higher concentration (janeanson.com).

Jeff Leve of The Wine Cellar Insider rated the wine 94 points, remarking on the "tobacco, cedar, savory herbs, flowers, currants, cocoa, spice, and licorice" present in the nose. He describes the palate as "medium-bodied, racy, fresh, vibrant, and loaded with fresh, vivid, black, red, and blue fruits, spice, mint, and dark chocolate" (TheWineCellarInsider.com).

Jeb Dunnuck also awarded the wine 94 points, calling it "an inky hued second wine" with a "round, medium to full-bodied, ripe, downright sexy profile." He notes the presence of "red and blue fruits, some violet and graphite notes, ripe tannins, and a great finish" (jebdunnuck.com).

The Wine Independent’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown gave the wine 92 points, describing it as "opaque purple-black in color" with "bold notions of crunchy black plums and redcurrant jelly," and a "bright and shiny" medium-bodied palate (The Wine Independent).

Decanter awarded the wine 93 points, highlighting its "gorgeous nose" and the balance of "ripe fruit with such high acidity." The review mentions that it is "relatively lean but still juicy" and "ending on a real graphite and wet stone note" (Decanter).

Overall, the 2023 Palmer Alter Ego is a well-received Bordeaux blend with notable complexity, balance, and vibrant flavors.