Wine “Alter Ego” de Palmer, Margaux AOC, 2014

Alter Ego – translated as “Other Self”, this “second wine” Château Palmer. On the wine label depicts a castle Chateau Palmer, built in the late XIX century. And if the main wine label depicts a lock of gold color on a dark background, then the wine Alter Ego on the contrary – the castle of a dark color on a gold background, which emphasizes the concept of the name. The second wine is not much inferior to the “first”, it is created from grapes from old vines. This wine was first produced in 1998, after a significant re-engineering of the wine house, its production – the result of a new approach to harvesting and assemblage.

2011 will be remembered as the earliest of the 2000s. Hot, dry spring has contributed to the early bud break, and the first flowers appear on the vines on May 10, three weeks earlier than usual. June 4, at a time when the berries already formed, struck the vineyard hailstorm significantly reduced the amount of the estimated harvest. June 26-27, considered the hottest days of 2011, the temperature in the shade reaches 38,8 ° C. Under the scorching sun some amount of grapes were burned. Only by reducing the temperature and moderate precipitation vines were able to restore the natural cycle of maturation. Harvesting begins Sept. 7 with the collection of Merlot. During the vinification wort is under constant supervision of specialists, daily wine. Thanks to their efforts has been to preserve the freshness and subtlety of flavor with good density of the beverage. After the final aging in oak barrels the wine has become an elegant bouquet and deep fruity taste with rounded and soft tannins. Many critics of the international level gave high marks Alter Ego 2011 harvest, and aging potential of this wine is estimated to be 10-15 years.
Manor Château Palmer was named in honor of its former owner, Major-General Charles Palmer. Having a great influence in the noble circles, he promoted their wines in this society. But because of the very high costs that it could not cover, in 1843 he was forced to sell his estate. Chateau Palmer bought brothers bankers Perer largely multiply the glory of wines. In 1938, several families from Bordeaux, Holland and England joined forces to return Chateau Palmer his former level. In 2004, the shareholders of Chateau Palmer offered the post of manager of the young oenologist Thomas Duru. Duru already had experience in California and Italy, returning to his homeland – in Bordeaux, he was greatly excited the upcoming work. Shareholders asked him to hold a “quiet revolution” in Chateau Palmer, gradually improving the quality of production in response to market demands, not forgetting to maintain the tradition. For Chateau Palmer is not the first experience of reforms.