2004 Chateau Palmer ALTER EGO DE PALMER (2nd Wine of Chateau Palmer) Margaux Available Summer 2007
Name:
Chateau Palmer ALTER EGO DE PALMER (2nd Wine of Chateau Palmer) Margaux Available Summer 2007 - 2004
Where it's from:
>France
>Bordeaux
>Margaux
Price per case:
£434.57
Bottle size:
75 cl
Bottles per case:
12
Style:
Powerful Reds
Grapes:
Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon
Description:
The Second wine of Chateau Palmer the blending of Alter Ego de Palmer seeks to bring out softness, finesse, and intense fruitiness - the hallmarks of Château Palmer's terroir - even when young. After 16-18 months in barrel, Alter Ego's elegant aromas, concentration, and smoothness make this a great Margaux and a typical Palmer. Although Alter Ego de Palmer can age for 10-15 years, depending on the vintage, it is delicious to drink just two years after it is bottled. The growth cycle got off to a good start in March after an especially mild (2-3ºC warmer than average) and wet (it rained two days out of three from October to March.) winter. Fortunately, the fairly cool weather in April eliminated the risk of mildew. Thanks to mild, very dry weather, flowering took place quickly and evenly in May and June, mid-flowering on June 2nd. After a cool and particularly rainy month of July, the véraison occured without any problems before a major storm hit on August 15th (peak véraison took place on August 9th). The month of August was hot, but not excessively so. It was once again cool in September (2ºC less than average). The grapes were ideally ripe and healthy on the eve of the harvest. Sugar levels were high - greater than 2000 and similar to 1999. Even though the summer of 2001 was not tremendously dry - which led to a lower concentration of phenolic compounds than the previous year - levels were very good, higher than in 1999. The Merlot grapes were picked at 13-14º potential alcohol, producing fruity, rich, and generous wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes came in at 11.5-12.2º, and wine made from them has enormous finesse and very pure tannins. This blending of the 3 varietals has created a rich and subtle vintage, an almost perfect expression of the Palmer style. The harvest began September 29 and ended October 11.This wine has an almost opaque red colour and a subtle bouquet of sweet, ripe, slightly candied fruit. Barrel ageing has given smoky tobacco flavours to this full-bodied, mouth-filling wine. 2001 Alter Ego is already quite smooth thanks to rich tannins. This sensual, wonderfully balanced wine definitely reflects the spirit of Alter Ego.
