Who makes it
Major General Charles Palmer, a British cavalry officer, acquired Château Palmer in 1814. Between 1814 and 1831, he expanded the estate to 163 hectares, stretching from Cantenac through Issan to Margaux.
Château Palmer is the grand vin. Alter Ego de Palmer was introduced in 1998, made from dedicated plots and blended differently from the grand vin. The range therefore has a historic estate wine and a separate bottle with its own vineyard source and blend.
Where it grows
Château Palmer is in the Margaux appellation in the Médoc, next to Château Margaux. Its vineyard sits on a plateau of gravel, sand and clay overlooking the Gironde estuary.
Gravel usually drains quickly, while clay holds more water and sand keeps the ground loose. These differences affect how much water remains available to vines and how quickly the ground warms. The site combines all three materials on one plateau.
What they make
Château Palmer is the grand vin, with annual production of 8,000 to 10,000 cases. The 2022 wine is red and contains 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.
Alter Ego de Palmer entered the range in 1998. It comes from dedicated plots and uses a blend different from the grand vin, giving the estate a second named wine with its own vineyard source and composition.