2021 Château Palmer Alter Ego de Palmer

Château Palmer Winery

Château Palmer is among the absolute top wines in Margaux, known for its biodynamic approach and distinctive style. The estate combines clay-rich soils with gravel, resulting in wines with texture, aromatic intensity, and balance. Under the leadership of Thomas Duroux, the focus is on precision in the vineyard and vinification that combines freshness and ripe fruit. Alter Ego de Palmer is the château's second wine and is made with the same care, but in a more accessible style.

More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Margaux and the 2021 vintage

Margaux is known for its elegant and aromatic wines, often with floral notes and refined tannins. The gravel and clay soils provide structure and freshness, while the proximity to the Gironde estuary contributes to a temperate microclimate.

The 2021 vintage experienced a cool and demanding growing season. Thanks to careful vineyard practices, this resulted in wines with moderate alcohol, crisp acidity, and classic balance. At Palmer, this resulted in wines with clarity, energy, and remarkable precision.

Vineyards and origins of Alter Ego

The grapes for Alter Ego de Palmer come from plots not used for the Grand Vin, but are subject to the same biodynamic practices and rigorous selection. The terroir, with its higher clay content, contributes to the round texture and ripe fruit profile.

Alter Ego is not simply a second wine, but a full-fledged expression of Palmer, with its own character and a clear relationship with the domain and the vintage.

Grape varieties and composition

The 2021 Alter Ego de Palmer is blended from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot playing a prominent role. Merlot provides juiciness, roundness, and texture, while Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure, freshness, and aromatic tension.

This combination complements the cooler character of the vintage and gives the wine both accessibility and aging potential.

Harvest and vinification

The harvest took place with a strong focus on plot selection and optimal ripeness. The grapes were carefully vinified, with a focus on gentle extraction to preserve the fruit's elegance.

The vinification focused on balance and precision, with oak aging that provides support without overpowering the fruit. This results in a wine with depth, yet a supple and accessible structure.

Color, smell and taste

In the glass, the wine displays a deep ruby red color. The nose is expressive and seductive, with aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, and cherry, complemented by violets, mint, and a distinct graphite note.

On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with a rich and layered core of fruit. The tannins are sweet and powdery in texture, creating a velvety-smooth mouthfeel. Fresh acidity keeps the wine lively and contributes to a long, balanced finish.

Structure, style and drinking window

The 2021 Alter Ego de Palmer combines ripeness and concentration with freshness and precision. The style is more accessible than the Grand Vin, yet clearly retains the signature and class of Château Palmer.

Thanks to its structure and balance, the wine can continue to develop in the coming years. In magnum format, the wine will gain complexity and further enhance its elegant character.

Summary of professional reviews

William Kelley rates the 2021 Alter Ego de Palmer 92 points, praising its aromatic expression, rich core of fruit, and sweet, powdery tannins. He emphasizes that the wine, like the Grand Vin, delivers a particularly strong performance in this vintage. The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.

Would you like to order Château Palmer wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

Wine and food pairings

Hare saddle with juniper berries and stewed red cabbage complements the dark fruit and spiciness.

Roasted guinea fowl fillet with fennel seeds and orange zest enhances the fresh acidity and aromatic precision.

Ravioli filled with roasted pumpkin, sage and almond combines beautifully with the round texture of the wine.

Slow-cooked veal cheek with star anise and carrot cream goes well with the powdery tannins.

Grilled eggplant with tahini, pomegranate and parsley works well with the floral character.

A mature sheep's cheese such as Manchego Viejo complements the structure and length of the finish.