Alter Ego de Palmer 2016

A remarkably velvety red wine from Margaux

As a red wine produced in the Margaux wine appellation, Alter Ego de Palmer enjoys a provenance from a 66-hectare vineyard planted on gravelly soil. The wine is aged in barrel (50% in new barrels) for 18 to 21 months. The blend of the 2016 vintage consists of 40% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot.

Winter began with mild conditions, bud-burst occurring one week ahead of time. Spring was humid and cool, slowing down vine development and leading to mildew. Despite complicated climatic conditions, the beginning of June fostered a perfect flowering process. The dryness during summer did not sufficiently catch up with the delay in the vine cycle. Mid-veraison, which occurred around 10 August, signalled late harvests. The heat and drought in July and August raised concerns about the grape ripening process being interfered with, but the rain on 13 September revived grape development. Rain did not occur again until harvests, which took place between 3 and 18 October.

Château Palmer's Alter Ego 2016 has powerful and extremely ripe tannins. The wine reveals a fantastic balance, with a more classic degree of alcohol than previous great vintages and with beautifully structured tannins. This wine is remarkably velvety, a true sign of a Château Palmer wine. To be consumed before 2025-2030.