Montes Alpha M 2018
Montes Alpha M Apalta
Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile
Vintage: 2018
Bottle size: 75cl
Grape: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon 10% Cabernet Franc 5% Merlot 5% Petit Verdot
ABV: 15%
Notes: Vegetarian, Vegan
This wine is deep ruby-red in colour. The complex nose shows notes of ripe red and black fruits, cherry syrup, figs, and blackberry. Its time in French oak barrels is reflected in the toasted notes, sweet spices, tobacco, and hint of wet earth; there's also some dairy-like toffee and caramel. On the palate, the wine is balanced, with extremely silky tannins, a well-harmonized acidity and a long, fruit-forward, and vibrant finish.
Grapes are sourced from the best parcels from the 'Finca Apalta' in Apalta, arguably one of the finest sites for red wine grape growing in Chile. Some areas also show the influence of the nearby Tinguiririca River, while higher up, material from the long-term erosion of the valley’s mountainside is evident. The soils are deep in the flatter areas and thinner at the foot of the mountains, where the Cabernet Sauvignon is planted on 30º slopes. Low night-time temperatures further prolong ripening, allowing for the slow development and retention of varietal aromas and acidity. All grapes are hand harvested and yields are very small at 3.5-4 tonnes per hectare.
When they started producing Montes Alpha in 1987, they needed balanced yields and to harvest when the grapes were ripe. They adapted these practices to all their vineyards and the results were startling. Montes’ own vineyards now cover 75% of their requirements. The other 25% of fruit is produced in vineyards that they have planted, cultivated and picked. In other words, they control everything except the ownership of the land. In addition to this control over the vineyard, they also sell in bulk what is not good enough to go into the bottles that carry their label. Having made the selection in the vineyard, they are able to make a further selection in the winery. The results are there for you to taste. In 2020, Aurelio Montes’ illustrious career was recognised in the form of the International Wine Challenge’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
https://www.monteswines.com