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SKU 906506
$707.70/case
$117.95/bottle
Tariffs included
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This is amazing for the second wine with incredible white truffle, stone and currant character. Purity of fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, silky and refined. Fantastic length. Better in 2018 but almost impossible to resist now. Incredible.
There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world's finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six 'official' Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act – the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.
France, often regarded as the heart of the wine world, boasts a rich history, diverse terroirs, and a captivating variety of grape varietals. From the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux to the picturesque landscapes of Burgundy, France offers a wine lover’s dream journey. Whether you’re new to the world of wine or a seasoned enthusiast looking […]
Bordeaux: The Pinnacle of Terroir Expression In the illustrious realm of wine, Bordeaux stands as a beacon of excellence, where history, tradition, and terroir converge to create some of the world’s most iconic wines. Bordeaux’s rich mosaic of vineyards is characterized by the left bank, right bank, and the sweet symphony of Sauternes. Each of […]
The Margaux appellation of France's legendary Bordeaux wine region is one of the world's most famous and highly respected viticultural areas. For centuries, Margaux has been deeply associated with extremely fine wines of the highest quality, made using traditional and time-honored techniques in order to extract the very best, most refined and elegant flavors and aromas from the Bordeaux varietal grapes which grow there. Margaux wines are almost always blended, using two or three key Bordeaux grapes, commonly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (amongst others). The blending techniques and quantities have been passed down through the generations in the ancestral chateaus which make up the region, and quality and prestige has never been allowed to falter, making Margaux one of the undisputed jewels in France's already glittering crown.
JS94pts
James Suckling
This is amazing for the second wine with incredible white truffle, stone and currant character. Purity of fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, silky and refined. Fantastic length. Better in 2018 but almost impossible to resist now. Incredible.
WA93pts
Wine Advocate
Another brilliant example from administrator Thomas Duroux and his team, the intense second wine, Palmer’s 2012 Alter Ego (51% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot), offers up plenty of blackberry and crème de cassis notes along with some spring flowers, licorice and subtle background oak. Opulently textured, full-bodied and stunning, this is an outrageously successful second wine to drink over the next 12-15 years.
VM92pts
Vinous Media
The 2012 Alter Ego is unusually dark in this vintage, the result of abnormally low yields and very ripe Merlot. An exuberant, voluptuous wine, the 2012 hits the palate with a mélange of black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice, tobacco and grilled herbs. There is more than enough tannin and acidity to support a good decade-plus of very fine drinking. This is a superb second wine that should be on consumers' radar screens, as it over delivers, big time. The 2012s at Palmer are made from unusually low yields of around 28 hectoliters per hectare. One of the effects of the 2011 hailstorm that hit the estate was a lowering of the following year's crop, which has resulted in rich, tannic wines. Estate Manager Thomas Duroux opted to give the 2012s more time in barrel than is customary and the wines were bottled in September 2014.
WE92pts
Wine Enthusiast
Initially densely tannic, this wine quickly reveals a more velvet character that is enhanced by the blackberry fruits. Over half the production at Palmer in 2012 was of this second wine, which is already finely integrated and developing well. Drink from 2020.
DC92pts
Decanter
Even though it was only introduced by Château Palmer in 1998, the distinctive reverse black-and-gold label is surely one of the best known in Bordeaux. But the real success of Alter Ego has come in its consistently excellent quality. It’s hard to go wrong with the vintages, although prices are steep, with recent years coming in at above £550 for a case of 12 (in bond) at most UK merchants. The 2012 is a wonderful example of why this wine is so good. It has all the lush exoticism and fine tannic structure of Palmer, but with a softness and crème de cassis, dense fruitiness (it is 52% Merlot) that makes it drinkable now and for the next 10 to 15 years.
JD92pts
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2012 Alter Ego De Palmer is a smoking good Margaux that over-delivers. Made from 51% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot, its still ruby/purple color is followed by a ripe, sexy, medium to full-bodied 2012 that gives up tons of blackcurrants, licorice, crushed flowers, and graphite. With incredible charm as well as a broad, sexy texture, drink it over the coming 10-15 years.
TWI91pts
The Wine Independent
Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Alter Ego needs a fair bit of swirling to unlock notes of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and spice cake, followed by suggestions of Indian spices and cigar box. The medium-bodied palate has a firm, grainy texture with plenty of evolved fruit and a refreshing backbone, finishing savory.
WS90pts
Wine Spectator
Shows good energy, with a lively savory note, a bright iron streak and enticing damson plum, black cherry and red currant fruit. Everything knits through the finish, suggesting this should be able to handle modest cellaring. Best from 2016 through 2020. 7,083 cases made.
