Montes ‘Alpha M’ 2018

Order 6 bottles, and receive the original wooden box The production of Montes Alpha M is extremely limited and vintages are only released if our head winemaker, Aurelio Montes considers the quality of the wine to be of a good enough standard. Production starts by selecting individual grapes at harvest time. This wine, from the Apalta Valley (a sub-region of Colchagua), is one of the best and most awarded Chilean wines. The vineyards that give rise to our Montes Alpha M are located in the Colchagua Valley, at our Finca de Apalta estate. The soils are of granitic origin and vary in clay content, depth, organic matter, and in particular, the quantity of rocks and stones found in them, which range from fluvial to glacial in origin, highlighting the great diversity of soils. 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 30aº slopes. This produces wines with characteristic concentration, good structure, outstanding colour, and excellent ageing potential. 80% of the wine aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels. The remaining 20% aged in second- and third-use barrels for the same 18 months. Deep carmine-red colour. The complex nose shows broad notes of ripe red and black fruit, 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 dulce de leche. On the palate the wine is balanced, with extremely silky tannins; broad in body, with well-harmonized acidity and flavours that reflect the aromas on the nose, all leading to a long, fruit-forward, and vibrant finish. Descorchados: 96Pts; Wine Spectator: 95Pts; Wine Enthusiast: 93Pts; Decanter: 91Pts