Wines Margaux Château Palmer - Alter Ego de Château Palmer - 2015

Alter Ego de Château Palmer 2015 is the distinguished second wine from one of Margaux’s most esteemed estates. The 2015 vintage is regarded as excellent in Bordeaux, delivering wines with both depth and fresh vibrancy. As is typical for Margaux, Alter Ego tends to offer a supple, approachable style in its youth, while still preserving fine structure. While the exact blend may vary by vintage and is often kept somewhat discreet, Margaux wines frequently feature a harmonious combination of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and sometimes Petit Verdot, resulting in rich yet refined bouquets with notable aromatic complexity. Vinification at Château Palmer is conducted with meticulous care, combining traditional methods with modern precision, often employing gentle extraction to illuminate both the fruit and floral character so distinctive to this appellation.

Margaux sits at the southern end of the Haut-Médoc, on Bordeaux’s Left Bank. Here, the gravelly soils—with deep layers of pebbles and sand—promote exceptional drainage and force the vines to grow deep roots, producing grapes of great elegance and nuanced character. The region benefits from a temperate oceanic climate, where the Gironde estuary moderates extremes, allowing for a long, even growing season. Historically, Margaux is known for crafting the most delicate and aromatic of all Médoc wines, often marked by their perfume, silky tannins, and ethereal palate.

This style of Margaux rouge, particularly from a refined house like Château Palmer, partners beautifully with roast lamb, classic beef dishes, and mushroom-based recipes that reflect the wine’s suave tannins and fragrant bouquet. For a regional pairing, try it alongside entrecôte à la bordelaise or duck breast with a red wine reduction. Hard cheeses such as aged Comté or Ossau-Iraty also make harmonious matches.

For the optimal tasting experience, decant the wine for at least an hour before serving to allow its full aromatic spectrum to unfold. Serve at a temperature between 16-18°C, which will accentuate both its fruit purity and the intricate Margaux finesse. This wine can certainly be enjoyed now, though it also offers excellent potential to develop further complexity over the coming years.