Montes Alpha M 2021

Montes Alpha M is the flagship red from Bodega Montes, a Bordeaux-style blend grown on the slopes of Apalta in the Colchagua Valley in Chile. Cabernet Sauvignon leads, with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The Apalta amphitheatre is a south-facing horseshoe of steep, poor granitic hillside soils, and that site is central to the wine, the slope and free-draining granite stressing the vines to low yields and deep concentration while the surrounding hills and coastal influence temper the warm Colchagua climate, holding acidity and structure at full ripeness. The wine ages 18 months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange through the staves polishes the firm Cabernet tannins into a finer texture and layers in vanilla, sweet spice and a toasted, savoury complexity. Malolactic fermentation rounds the acidity. The colour is deep, near-opaque ruby. The nose is ripe blackcurrant, cherry and plum with dark chocolate, tobacco, sweet oak and a peppery edge. The palate is full and structured, the tannins firm and ripe, the finish long and savoury. Serve at 18 degrees, decanted for an hour, in a large Bordeaux glass. Built for roast and grilled red meats.