alter ego - the other palmer
This wine from the vineyards of Château Palmer was first produced in the 1998
vintage, the result of a new approach to selecting and blending. The purpose is
to make two different wines at Château Palmer that are both fully in keeping with
the values and reputation of this great estate:
- finesse and elegance
- a rich bouquet
- balance and length
Palmer and Alter Ego are both subtle reflections of Château Palmer's terroir,
two interpretations of the growing conditions in a given vintage.
Alter Ego is intensely fresh and fruity, juicy and irresistible. Smooth and
round as soon as it has finished barrel ageing, Alter Ego's elegant bouquet and
tannins can be appreciated within the first few years of bottling.
Palmer combines aromatic complexity, length, and power. It has excellent structure
and balance, invariably displaying legendary elegance and finesse.
Two variations from the same vineyard:
Each vineyard plot is carefully monitored in late August and especially in
September, when the fruit is slowly ripening. The grapes are regularly tasted and
their characteristics analysed by the Château team during preliminary evaluations.
Scientific measurements are essential for pinpointing optimum maturity (sugar,
acid, and phenolic compound analyses). However, tasting the grapes - a sensory
appreciation of the fruit, the skins, and the seeds - also provides precious
insight.
This information helps the château team not only to make crucial decisions
regarding when to pick, but also how best to adapt fermentation techniques.
After several months in barrel, tastings are held to determine the subtle
variations in each lot in order to make the final blend.
Long barrel ageing enables the wines to reflect fully the character of their
terroir as well as to develop body and richness. Alter Ego's intrinsic fruitiness
and intense aromas are retained intact thanks to the moderate use of new oak barrels
(25-30%).
