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 gravely 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 August 10^th, signaled late harvests. The heat and drought in July and August raised concerns about the grape ripening process being interfered with, but the rain on September 13^th revived grape development. Rain did not occur again until the harvests, which took place between October 3^rd and 18^th.

Chateau 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 Chateau Palmer wine. To be consumed before 2025-2030.