" We don't sell the wine without touching the vine "
Montes Alpha M 2019
Our Price: $125.00 $95.00
6 bottles with free shipping for: $570.00
12 bottles with free shipping for: $1,080.00
6 bottles with free shipping for: $570.00
12 bottles with free shipping for: $1,080.00
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| Country: | Chile |
| Region: | Colchagua Valley |
| Winery: | Montes |
| Grape Type: | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Organic: | Yes |
| Vintage: | 2019 |
| Bottle Size: | 750 ml |
Product Description
Montes Alpha M 2019 is made from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.
Montes Alpha M is the result of an extremely limited production and a rigorous selection of the grapes, one by one, led by Aurelio Montes. Coming from the Colchagua Valley, it is one of the best and most awarded wines of Chile. The vineyards that give rise to Montes Alpha M are located in the Apalta zone of the Colchagua Valley. The soils are of granitic origin and are shallow in the upper, mountainous sectors. They vary in the clay content, depth, amount of organic matter, and especially the types of rocks and stones they are made up of. The soils origin can also range from fluvial to glacial, which shows the great diversity of soils in our vineyards. Some zones are influenced by the Tinguiririca River and others by mudslides and the detachment of material from high above in the mountain chain that delimits the valley.
Harvest Note
At the beginning of the season, winter in Apalta presented itself with mild temperatures and rainfall close to 13 inches, a considerable drop compared to the previous year's 20 inches. Winemakers started irrigating later in the season because of the rainy and cool spring, which allowed them to reserve water for summer. Summer was dry in the Colchagua Valley. It was warm, but not warm enough to damage the vines or grapes, and they didn't suffer any other climatic events that could have harmed the health of the grapes. Winemakers implemented controlled water-stress conditions between fruit set and veraison, limiting berry size and achieving a great skin-to-pulp ratio, which resulted in superb color and concentration, rich tannins, and remarkable aromas. The weather presented good conditions for harvesting red varieties. There was no rain in March or April, so winemakers waited for full phenolic ripeness, without the threat of disease that could have affected the quality of the wine. In short, this was not a year of detrimental weather events, so the health and quality of the grapes gave clean musts of great potential.
Tasting Note
Aromas of raspberry and strawberry with plum and ripe grapes followed by toasted notes of nutmeg and nuts.
Food Pairing
Pairs well with duck breast, lamb or pork chops, pasta with pesto, lamb masala, and chicken with mushroom sauce.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
APPELLATION: Colchagua Valley
PH: 3.45
ACIDITY: 3.85 g/l
ABV: 14.5%
AGING: 80% of the wine’s components were aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels. The remaining 20% was kept in barrels of two or three previous uses, for the same amount of time.
Unique Selling Points
- Extremely limited production where grapes are hand selected one by one.
- Only released if head winemaker, Aurelio Montes approves the quality.
- Originating from Colchagua Valley, one of the best and most awarded Chilean wines.
- Aged in new French oak barrels for 18 months.
- Smooth but structured on the palate, with silky tannins.
Review:
Deep nose, but really fresh at the same time. Currants, blackberries and chili-pepper chocolate with cedary and meaty undertones. This is really juicy, with a tight, tensely framed palate, underscored by lots of creamy, dusty tannins. A lengthy, refined and elegant expression of cabernet sauvignon, but a strong statement from Colchagua. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 97 Points
Winery: Montes
The story of Montes is a testament to what unique vision, grit, determination, and perseverance can achieve.
Points of Distinction
- First Chilean winery to produce and export Premium and Ultra Premium wines (Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon and Montes Alpha M)
- Pioneered winegrowing in the Apalta region of the Colchagua Valley, as well as Zapallar and Chiloé, Patagonia
- First Chilean winery to plant Syrah. Apalta vineyards are the sole source of Montes Folly, a 100% Syrah.
- Developed water saving winegrowing techniques to reduce water usage by 65%, saving the equivalent consumption of 20,000 households.
- Achieved B Corp certification in 2024, marking its commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and positive social and environmental impact within the wine industry.
In 1987, two visionaries, Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray, began their journey backed with their extensive experience in the world of wine. Their vision entailed producing wines of a quality far superior to the one that was being produced in Chile at that time. In 1988, Montes and Murray added 2 additional partners, Alfredo Vidaurre and Pedro Grand, to help them in their new endeavor. With each of the 4 partners making their own special and complementary contribution, Viña Montes was born. What began as a dream has now become a dream come true for these four great visionaries, who have managed to build Montes into a global symbol of outstanding quality for the wines of Chile. Montes wines are now distributed in over a hundred countries, and have been recognized for their extraordinary and permanent quality. At the same time, the wines continue to attract the attention for wine consumers everywhere looking to understand and appreciate Chilean wines.
After their first release, Montes continued to reach for higher quality, recognition, and focus. WIth the release of Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon, Montes became the first winery to create a truly world-class premium wine the world could appreciate. Concentrated, complex and serious, Montes Alpha established that Montes had chosen the right path and would be a force to be reckoned with on the world stage. With the release of Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon, the wines of Chile were now being acknowledged by wine lovers globally.
Continuing with the obsession of creating better wines, Montes was a pioneer in betting on the Apalta Valley and planting vineyards on mountain slopes. The next wine to gain Montes notoriety was the 1996 inaugural release of Montes Alpha M, a classic Bordeaux blend that has become one of Chile’s most awarded wines. But Aurelio Montes did not stop innovating there. In his ongoing quest of elevating quality, Aurelio Montes was the first to plant Syrah in the Colchagua Valley. The resulting wine, Montes Folly, released with the 2000 vintage showcased Montes’ hillside Syrah vineyards in all their glory to outstanding critical acclaim.
Finally, the first premium Carmenère from Chile, Purple Angel, was launched in May 2005. Again, the wines were lauded with praise and critical acclaim from the wine press and loyal fans of Montes’ wines alike. Besides outstanding quality wines and innovative winegrowing and winemaking practices, Montes has grown its presence internationally without foreign investment or consulting winemakers, making Montes a truly Chilean success story.
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Review:
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Review:
Using fruit from two exceptional Swartland sources – Goldmine and mostly Porseleinberg – this foudre-aged Syrah is fresh, subtle and intensely aromatic, as schist Syrahs often tend to be. Complex, floral and refined with remarkable freshness and palate length. Drink: 2020-2028.
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Vintage Notes
The combination of a wet winter with significant rains in December through March and cool weather delayed budbreak nearly a month. Flowering and fruit set were also pushed back and the weather during the later flowering was favorable resulting in decent fruit set and slightly above average yields for the Chardonnay vineyards—a marked improvement over the record-low yielding 2022 vintage. The growing season was temperate without major heat spikes allowing the berries to hold onto their acidity which carried through into the wines. Harvest was almost a month later than normal with the last Belle Cote block coming in on November 2nd.
Winegrowing Notes
At the highest elevation on the estate, the marine influence on Ma Belle-Fille is greater, resulting in cooler daily temperatures in the summer and autumn months. Situated far above the summer fog ceiling and exposed to the southeast, the vineyard receives the very first rays of sunshine each morning and remains sunny all day long. This full exposure, combined with cooler temperatures, causes the fruit to mature earlier than the rest of our estate.
Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Beautifully perfumed with layers of honeysuckle, jasmine and dried orange peel accented by apricot, vanilla cream and spring flower notes, the 2023 ‘Ma Belle-Fille’ delivers with a rich, creamy entry and generous, structured mid-palate showing great drive and intensity with a long, mouth-watering finish. A truly special wine from an extraordinary vintage.
Review:
So delicious and drinkable from the first whiff to the lingering finish. An uber-chardonnay that packs in all the richness of fruit and smooth spiciness of oak fermentation, with vibrant acidity and a silky texture. Well balanced in a cool, ideal vintage and a great candidate for aging longer term. Drinkable now and best from 2030.
James Suckling 99 Points
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