In the ALTER EGO, the Merlot portion usually dominates, in contrast to the first wine. In this respect, 2020 is an unusual year, as this time the cuvée of the second wine also contains mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% to be precise, as well as only 46% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot grapes. There was a lot of rainfall in the spring, which did not make work in the vineyard any easier and caused a lot of fungal pressure. This was followed by a warm, dry summer with hot periods in August and corresponding drought stress for the plants. The 35 to 40 year old vines of the ALTER EGO, which have deep roots in water-retaining clay-gravel soils, coped well with this throughout. The nose reflects the warm vintage. Lots of ripe tannins, fleshy and spicy: blueberries, cassis and ripe raspberries as well as lovage, black pepper and verbena. There are also notes of roasted chestnuts and melted butter from the storage on the fine yeast and the wooden barrel aging, which takes place to a good 30% in new barriques. A fine minerality reminiscent of iron runs through the wine like a common thread and, despite all the maturity, opulence and power of the tannins, ensures aromatic tension and an invigorating drinking flow. Delivered in a wooden box of 6 bottles.