With Hart, YZ, Sloke, Liz and Daryl at Sloke’s. Wine was courtesy of Yz.

I certainly cant afford Chateau Palmer’s Grand Vin, given how obscene prices have gotten these days. The Alter Ego is commonly mistaken as their second wine. It isn’t: it’s more accurately a second label given that the grapes are sourced from entirely different vines.

Decanted for maybe 40 mins.

In the glass: deep ruby color, with a tinge of purple. Surprised to see sucha fat meniscus on a 2009.

On the nose: this was the perfect juxtaposition against the Paleo. This was a richer plusher dark black currant, and a noticeable slight plum.

On the palate: high acidity, with silky tannins that tightens up slightly after swallowing. Mid+ finish. My favorite thing about the wine was how looooong the aromatics lingered on and after the exhale. Funny enough, the exhale was just Merlot – that round plummy chocolatiness.

I haven’t done my research, but I’m guessing this has gotta be a fairly high Merlot blend? Not in a jarring way; on the contrary, this was super balanced. This wine was a nice delicate warm hug.

But fuck me, that price is rough. Had to dock some points for that.