Alter Ego de Palmer 2024

The tannic structure and refinement of a Margaux wine

The estate

Founded in 1814 when British Major General Charles Palmer acquired the Domaine de Gasq in Margaux, the Château Palmer is an essential reference of the Margaux appellation. It was in 1938 that four Bordeaux négociant families (Ginestet, Miailhe, Mähler-Besse and Sichel) joined forces to take over the estate. In 1950, the Ginestet and Miailhe families sold their shares to the Sichel and Mähler-Besse families. This Third Classified Growth has been managed by Thomas Duroux since 2004. The estate stands out for its pioneering commitment to biodynamics as well as its elegant neoclassical château.

The vineyard

Located on one of the most prestigious terroirs of Margaux, the Château Palmer vineyard benefits from deep gravel soils typical of the appellation. This mosaic of terroirs, near the Gironde estuary, gives the wines their unique character. The grape composition, atypical for the Médoc with a significant proportion of Merlot, contributes to the distinctive identity of the estate's wines, imparting roundness and elegance.

The wine

Produced since the 1998 vintage, Alter Ego de Palmer is intended to be another facet of the expression of Château Palmer's wines.

The vintage

The year 2024 was marked by particularly difficult weather conditions, with rainfall approximately 100% above the ten-year average. Downy mildew appeared early on April 22, particularly affecting the old Merlot vines which suffered from shatter. After a dry summer, heavy rains occurred before the harvest, which took place from September 25 to October 10, 2024.

Winemaking and aging

Faced with the challenges of the 2024 vintage, the teams carried out especially rigorous berry sorting to select only grapes of optimal quality. Parcel-by-parcel winemaking and a meticulous blend made it possible to craft a wine with promising tannins despite the difficult conditions. Traditional aging in French oak barrels contributes to the wine's complexity and final balance.

Blend

Alter Ego de Palmer 2024 is the result of a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (34%) and Petit Verdot (6%).