Professional reviews
Robert Parker (92)
91-93
The 2025 Alter Ego de Palmer unwinds in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums and violets, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and concentrated palate defined by lively acids and plenty of sweet, powdery tannin. Checking in at 13% alcohol, it's a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. The low yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare might shock other estates, but Palmer has become much more habituated to such numbers in recent years
Vinous (95)
94-96
The 2025 Alter Ego is bold, juicy and super expressive right out of the gate. A wine of total pleasure and seduction, this will drink beautifully with minimal cellaring. Soft, plush contours wrap around a core of red plum, mocha, cedar, espresso and cinnamon. All the elements are so well balanced. Floral top notes and a kick of blood orange perk up the brilliant finish. This is such a classy, polished wine—an especially fine Alter Ego. The blend is 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot.
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
92-94
Rocking notes of red, blue, and black fruits, roasted herbs, graphite, and chocolate define the 2025 Alter Ego, a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot that's being raised in 20% new barriques and foudres. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, round, and supple, with ripe, chalky tannins. It checks in at 13% alcohol with a pH of 3.65.
Decanter (94)
Quite a spiced notes on the nose, really aromatic, a little toasted with cinnamon, cedar, dried herbs, some florality and blackcurrants. Smooth and creamy with a crushed velvety aspect to the tannins which fill the mouth and create a soft cushioning of texture from which the ripe but also cool blueberry aspects widen. Quiet, calm, still massy with power and muscles but well integrated and not shouting. It’s certainly juicy and mouthwatering with a crystalline blueberry aspect. Great purity but still with this wide frame and quite firm liquorice spiced edges. Lots going on here. More Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend than Merlot.
Falstaff (95)
Deep dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Intense black berry fruit, some liquorice and juniper, some nougat and vanilla, inviting bouquet. Juicy, elegant, mineral core, ripe tannins, black berry fruit, fresh and persistent, already accessible, a finesse-rich food companion
