A cool summer, followed by ideal ripening conditions in September have resulted in a darkly fragrant and beautifully detailed Alter Ego. Comprising 52% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, the remainder is made up with a higher than usual proportion of the late to ripen Petit-Verdot – a great success in 2014. Wonderful purity of fruit and polished tannins, Palmer’s baby brother is a serious contender this year and better than many grand vins from neighbouring properties.
Vibrant and fruity with currant, blueberry and spice character. Full yet tight with tension and brightness. Very velvety tannins. Sexy already.
Bursts with violet, plum and raspberry fruit, lined with silky tannins and backed by a tantalizing iron hint. Features lovely brisk energy and gorgeous purity. Tasted non-blind.
A juicy, expressive wine, the 2014 Alter Ego is wonderfully open and expressive today, with radiant fruit, soft contours and gorgeous overall balance. Sweet red plum, raspberry, rose petal and French oak flow through to the soft, resonant finish. An exuberant floral note adds the last layer of complexity. The 2014 is 52% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Petit Verdot. Despite the relatively high percentage of Petit Verdot, that fruit comes from gravelly/sandy soils that confer perfume and aromatics, qualities winemaker Thomas Duroux brought out further with a short, gentle fermentation. This is a lovely second wine.
Critic score 95/100
Maturity Young 2028 - 2054
Prices shown in bond
Critic score 92.5/100
Maturity Young 2027 - 2045
Critic score 97/100
Maturity Young 2027 - 2052
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