Montes Alpha Carmenère 2021

We have been Montes fans for many years... we first discovered these wines from Chile by carrying their 'everyday' values under the Classic series; then we had the amazing opportunity to go to Chile and spend time at the winery to learn more. We came home from the trip struck by the super high quality and value of their 'Alpha' series wines, made in smaller quantities, from older, lower yielding vines.  

The Alpha Carmenère is deep purplish-red in color and made of 90% Carmenère and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The intense nose offers pleasing notes of ripe blackberries, figs, and dried plums. Spicy notes of nutmeg and black pepper complement a backdrop of tobacco, leather, and a subtle hint balsamic and dark chocolate aromas. The palate is well balanced, lush, and structured, with soft tannins that lead to a long and very elegant finish. Serve with red meats, stir-fried beef and vegetables, pork chops, spaghetti with Bolognese sauce, lamb chops, and mushroom ravioli.   

Colchagua is one of the Chilean wine valleys with the most international prestige, in which Viña Montes was a pioneer in establishing its production. This valley is located in the central zone of Chile, less than two hours driving from its capital, Santiago. Montes' beautiful vineyards are located in one of the best terroirs in the area, Apalta. Its unique characteristics and location, allow a mild exposure to the sun of the vines, which contributes to a slow, although more complete maturation of the grapes. In the same valley, between the Coastal Range and the sea, you will find their Marchigüe vineyards, immersed in an undulating landscape that ends in the Pacific Ocean (25 km away), where red grapes mature slowly under the influence of somewhat colder temperatures.

Montes Alpha was the pioneer wine that paved the way to all other Chilean premium wines. It remains #1 in the Chilean premium wine niche, having proven early on the estate's credibility as a world-class premium wine producer. All Alpha wines have received 'Top Scoring' and 'Best Value' from the influential Wine Spectator magazine: quite an achievement for Chilean wines at this price level.