Aromas of orange peel, walnuts and berries follow through to a full body, with a luscious tannins and fruit structure. Long and delicious. The second wine of Palmer. Try in 2017.
93 points – jamessuckling.com ('Tasting Report: 2010's Greatness Across The Board in Bordeaux', Feb 2013)

Tasted at the château. The Alter Ego 2010 has a well-defined, quite exuberant bouquet of dark cherries, boysenberry and cassis that blossom in the glass. There is just a hint of fresh dates emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with an edgy, liquorice-tinged entry. It has a grainy texture, good depth, though needs just a little more refinement towards the finish. Tasted November 2012.

(90-92 pts)
Delivering 3.55pH with 14.4 % alcohol, a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Merlot, this has a very tightly wound bouquet with dark cherries, cassis and a touch of liquorice. There is a very fine sense of definition at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with sturdy, firm tannins, layers of mocha-tinged dark berried fruit leading to a structured, quite spicy finish with gentle but insistent grip.
2 points – March 2011

An equal-part blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2010 Alter Ego represents 50% of the crop at Palmer. It has been an interesting second wine to take note of ever since the first vintage in 1998. The 2010 displays loads of chocolaty espresso notes, with plenty of punch, glycerin and unctuosity as well as some tannin like its bigger sister, but it is clearly meant to be drinkable at a much earlier age. It will still require several years of cellaring and should last 12-15 years. Drink 2013-2028.
91 points – Robert Parker (eRobertParker.com, Wine Advocate #205, Feb 2013)

For many of the classified growths in the Medoc, the quality of the second wines has soared over the last 5-6 years, and Alter Ego is no exception. The 2010 Alter Ego is the richest ever made. Relatively high in alcohol, this is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Merlot. Thick and juicy, its black fruits intermixed with acacia flowers, camphor, and subtle smoky notes are followed by a plump, corpulent style of wine with loads of fruit, glycerin and texture. Drink it over the next 15 or so years. Drink 2013-2026
90-92 points – Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #194, May 2011)

(45% harvest) [51CS/49M] Quite dumb, but fresh, ripe red and black fruit; medium full, fairly concentrated, fresh, flowing, lightly tannic, minerally elegant wine; linear, vital, ripe red fruit in flavour with a beautiful purity, very Margaux; long to taste, so "stony" and yet so fruity too; vivid, sapid, mouthwatering claret with lovely length. Deliciously splendid Alter Ego . 2015-25 [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2011]

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Alter Ego de Palmer rolls out of the glass with crème de cassis, stewed plums and mocha scents followed by fried herbs, tilled soil and cedar chest. Full-bodied, the palate has a solid structure of chewy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing just a tad firm.

51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot. Like the 2014, this is understated on the nose. The palate is more open and classic, with delicious cassis and leather. The tannins are somewhat chewy and unkempt, and much less integrated than the younger vintages, in fact. Seems effortful in style, and I'm not sure the tannins will resolve. (RH)

Tasted blind. Deep and smudgy colour like black cherries. A little bit reductive/smoky and slightly spirity. On the palate, very grippy and rather tough. Not what I look for in Margaux but the vintage has overridden that expectation. Tough finish. (JH)