2020 Palmer Alter Ego

Tasted blind. Black core with purplish rim. Fragrant with gorgeously pure black fruit and definite but not overdone oak. Firm, dry, elegant tannins allowing the fruit and fragrance to shine. Subtle in its power, persistent. (JH)

The 2020 Alter Ego de Palmer has a potent nose with plenty of black fruit, perhaps just a tad more exuberant than its peers. Cedar and pine aromas come through with aeration, followed by a scent of India ink. The palate is medium-bodied with a plush, almost voluptuous texture. Though it is very concentrated initially, it seems to lose the tension and precision on the finish—yet that manifests after 20 minutes in the glass. It will be interesting to see how this matures. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

The 2020 Alter Ego de Palmer has turned out beautifully, bursting with aromas of violets and rose petals mingled with notions of sweet dark berries and baking chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and seamless, it's vibrant and perfumed, with a bright core of fruit, powdery tannins and a long, expansive finish. It's a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.