08 Ch. Palmer "Alter Ego"
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 5:25 pm
I haven't been around much. I've been on something of a wine and internet holiday. Maybe the holidays are over!
Had the 08 "Alter Ego" the other night. On opening it wasn't giving much; not completely closed down, but tight and tannic. It opened up a bit as the evening wore on, but not a whole lot. So initially I didn't think much of it. But by day 3 (I skipped day 2) it had developed into a very nice wine. It had opened up quite a bit. The tannins softened and came into a very nice balance with the acids. The fruit profile broadened out nicely with yummy margaux berries, more red than black, but enough black to give it depth and balance. Amid the fruit was a whole array of secondary or second-tier flavors -- cassis to cacao, rose petals to leather, hints of coffee to hints of mixed herbs. Toasty oak and vanilla were present, but thankfully not in excess. The finish turned nicely cedary in that Bdx way. It has a nice silky texture. I guess what struck me most was its balance. It's elegantly done, nothing in excess. It's class, not sass! Considering price and pedigree, it seems like a sure thing. I'll be buying a few more bottles.
Hey, if '09 is over-rated (even thin!), and '10 won't be ready before 2424, and both are priced with the inflation rates of 2424 had already occurred, '08 might be worth another look.
Had the 08 "Alter Ego" the other night. On opening it wasn't giving much; not completely closed down, but tight and tannic. It opened up a bit as the evening wore on, but not a whole lot. So initially I didn't think much of it. But by day 3 (I skipped day 2) it had developed into a very nice wine. It had opened up quite a bit. The tannins softened and came into a very nice balance with the acids. The fruit profile broadened out nicely with yummy margaux berries, more red than black, but enough black to give it depth and balance. Amid the fruit was a whole array of secondary or second-tier flavors -- cassis to cacao, rose petals to leather, hints of coffee to hints of mixed herbs. Toasty oak and vanilla were present, but thankfully not in excess. The finish turned nicely cedary in that Bdx way. It has a nice silky texture. I guess what struck me most was its balance. It's elegantly done, nothing in excess. It's class, not sass! Considering price and pedigree, it seems like a sure thing. I'll be buying a few more bottles.
Hey, if '09 is over-rated (even thin!), and '10 won't be ready before 2424, and both are priced with the inflation rates of 2424 had already occurred, '08 might be worth another look.