Alter Ego Margaux 2025 - Second vin BIO (Primeurs)

A highly aromatic nose with pronounced spicy notes, featuring slightly toasty hints of cinnamon, cedar, and dried herbs, along with subtle floral and blackcurrant notes. The palate is smooth and creamy, with velvety, melt-in-your-mouth tannins that fill the mouth and create a soft, enveloping texture, from which aromas of ripe blueberry—as well as a sense of freshness—bloom. Discreet, serene, yet always structurally sound with power and muscle, but well-integrated and without excess. It is undeniably juicy and enticing, with a crystalline blueberry character. Great purity, yet always with that broad structure and fairly firm spicy notes of licorice. There’s a lot going on here. More Cabernet Sauvignon than Merlot in the blend. 15% press wine. 2029–2039

Legend has it that British General Charles Palmer, during a trip to France in 1814, fell under the spell of Marie de Gascq, who was looking for a buyer for her Médoc wine. Palmer was born. Next came the Pereire brothers in 1853, influential bankers who built the current château and expanded the vineyard; then, beginning in 1938, the Mähler-Besse, Sichel, Miailhe, and Ginestet families (only the first two remain today). Managed since 2004 by Thomas Duroux, this Third Growth—often considered a “super-second”—spans 66 hectares across the rolling hills of Cantenac.

Along with Château Margaux, Palmer is the other great star of an appellation that is all too often inconsistent. Its style—opulent and rounded, with magnificent silkiness—is nonetheless very different from that of its neighbor. The explanation lies primarily in the difference in grape varieties (and thus terroir) between the two estates. Château Palmer is thus one of the Médoc’s classified growths to include the highest proportion of Merlot in its final blend (around 50%). Palmer has cemented its legendary status by producing some absolutely sumptuous wines: the 1961, 1983, and 1989 vintages remain essential benchmarks. Now owned by the heirs of two prominent families, the Mähler-Besses and the Sichels, Palmer is led by the brilliant Thomas Duroux, who has taken the most recent vintages to new heights. It has been certified biodynamic since 2018.

With a very distinct identity, Alter Ego reveals maturity and freshness, with a well-established style that showcases an energetic character that beautifully blends fruity and mineral nuances. The salty note on the attack underscores the freshness mentioned above. This freshness takes over the palate while sharing the spotlight with velvety tannins. The result is a wine that is luminous, expressive, and lively. It’s clearly happy to be here… and so am I! 2028–2045

Deep purple color with violet highlights and a black core. An elegant nose with expressive aromas of fruit, blackberries, and mulberries, along with delicate floral notes, subtle oak, light toasted notes, and sweet spices in the background. On the palate, the wine is well-structured with firm yet ripe tannins, lovely acidity, very elegant and expressive fruit, as well as subtle toasty notes and sweet spices in the background. Very juicy character with a compelling finish.