The 2009 Alter Ego de Palmer offers fleshy red cherry and wild strawberry scents on the nose, rose petal mixed with subtle mulch-like aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, fresh and poised with an open and expressive, slightly ferrous finish. This has a lot of personality and it should continue to age well. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.

What a second wine. This is so delicious with a dense palate and beautiful yet friendly structure. Velvety tannins coat your mouth but it is the savory fruit that brings you back for more. Love the chocolate and coffee undertones. Better in 2016 but beautiful now.

An enticing Alter Ego, that still has plenty of smoked grilled oak and a ton of upfront sweet liquorice root, blackberry and cassis fruits, along with still present but pliable tannins. Beginning to really hit its stride, no need to wait to enjoy. Drinking Window 2020 - 2035
Tasted by Jane Anson (at Bordeaux, 29 Nov 2020)
Part of Anson: Tasting Château Palmer wines across three decades

A second wine that has improved dramatically is the Alter Ego de Palmer. The 2009, a blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, exhibits aromas of blackberries, cassis, chocolate, roasted espresso and a smoky/foresty note. This hedonistic, juicy, succulent Margaux is meant to be consumed in its first 10-15 years of life. Drink 2012-2017.
91 points – Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #199, Feb 2012)

The delicious 2009 Alter Ego de Palmer (an equal part blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) could have been drunk when I tasted it. A dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by smoky blackberry and black currant fruit notes, and a silky smooth, expansive, hedonistic, pleasure-filled wine that should drink well for a decade. Drink 2010-2020.
90-92 points – Robet Parker (Wine Advocate #188, April 2010)

Ruby-red. Precise aromas of red cherry, blackcurrant, cocoa and minerals. Bright and fresh in the mouth, with luscious flavors of red and black berries. Finishes clean and long, with an obviously inky/flinty note and mounting tannins that will need some time to resolve fully. A very successful Alter Ego.
88-91 points – Ian D'Agata (vinous.com, May 2010)

[49CS/51M] Soft, freshly sweet nose; medium full, concentrated fruit core within a very fine, graceful tannin; supple yet fresh, beautifully defined; mineral backed ripe blackberry fruit, long in flavour and with a lovely complexity for the second wine; very Margaux, lovely length. Quite delicious, will make an early drinkable wine, but a beautiful mature bottle. 2016-28