Alter Ego de Palmer 2015 (by Chateau Palmer)

The relatively high alcoholic content of the 2015 vintage is balanced out by a dense tannic structure without any rustic notes, thanks to perfect phenolic maturity of the pips and skins. At this time, this outstanding balance leads us to believe that 2015 will be in line with recent great vintages, such as 2010, 2009 and 2005. This wine is sensational, characterized by such purity and beauty and with aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate, walnuts, cedar and lavender. Full-bodied, tight and focused.

96 Points - James Suckling    This is sensational, characterized by such purity and beauty and with aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate, walnuts, cedar and lavender. Full-bodied, tight and focused — in part thanks to sensational tannin tension that is intense yet polished. Needs five to six years of bottle age to come together. Great second wine of Palmer. 

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast    Powerful tannins initially show in this perfumed wine. Behind them lie velvety-smooth blackcurrant fruit. The wine is pure, open and will age well over a medium term. It will be ready to drink from 2025. 

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck    The 2015 Alter Ego de Palmer is a sensational wine in its own right. Loaded with notes of black cherries, cassis, scorched earth and hints of toasty oak all emerge from this full-bodied, ripe, yet beautifully balanced Margaux. With ripe tannin, solid mid-palate depth and ample sweet fruit, it shows the charm of the vintage and is already hard to resist, yet should keep for 10-15 years.

92 Points - Decanter    This is still very tight, the focussed cassis fruits given further focus by slate and rosemary herbs. This is an exceptional second wine, one that shows the beauty of this vintage. Both Alter Ego and Palmer were bottled in August 2017, a little later than is traditional at the property, to give the wines more time to build harmony after blending. But it probably explains why they are so closed up right now. 

92 Points - Wine Spectator    Warm and inviting, with delightfully ripe plum and cassis notes that are lined with subtle lilac, fresh earth and singed sandal wood details before a wave of tobacco and humus comes in on the finish. Approachable, but should develop with time. Best from 2019 through 2029. 

92 Points - Vinous    The 2015 Alter Ego is just as alluring today as it was from barrel. Sweet floral notes, spice, dried cherry, mint, tobacco and crushed flowers are all laced together in this silky, mid-weight Margaux. Time in barrel has mellowed some of the exuberance the 2015 showed from barrel. Open-knit, supple and super-expressive, Alter Ego is a winner. Time in the glass brings out aromatic presence of Cabernet Sauvignon.