Montes Alpha 2005

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Starting at: $77^.79

10 Reviews

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Winery:

Montes Alpha

Varietal:

Merlot

Region:

Chile

Type:

Red Wine

Color:

Drink Dates:

Drink Now - 2013

UPC:

 

User Tags:  complex, burned, coffee, dark fruit, other berries, mediterranean fruits, currant, mocha, decant, espresso 

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What to Expect

Merlot has gotten a bad rap as of late but there is no denying the wine's appeal. Packed with deep, dark berry fruit and nuanced hints of cocoa, herb and earth with a soft structure. Its velvety texture makes Merlot instantly appealing and an obvious alternative to similar, more tannic Bordeaux varieties.

Winemakers Notes

The slopes of Apalta in Colchagua (in the Central Valley) enclose a half-moon shaped area with a unique micro-climate, defined by the mountains and one of Chile's widest rivers, the Tinguiririca. The best slopes in this valley, with a 15% average inclination and over 45° in the upper slopes, are found on our property where they grow the grapes for MONTES ALPHA "M". Having a west-south-west exposure allows for exactly the right number of hours of sunlight and provides an ocean breeze (the sea is only 30 kms away). The very warm days but cool winds at night with their lowering temperatures read more...give a micro-climate particularly suited for growing red grape varieties. Add to this, the poor soils with little organic matter, drip irrigation, and the high density of vines (over 4.800 per hectare) make growing conditions "just right". Montes Alpha "M" is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Merlot (5%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Petit Verdot (5 %), which links all the other grapes. The Cabernet Franc enhances the elegance of the first variety, and is in total harmony with the softness of the second and austerity of the third. Vintage 2005 can be considered one of the very best of the last 10 years. With rather cold previous Winter and Spring, the ripeness process was slow and lengthy, allowing Aurelio Montes to have great fruit expression and deep colour. This wine, richer in colour and with intense character, shows the elegance of the grapes of the Apalta estate. The wine has soft and rounded solid tannins that will allow it to be cellared for many years. A well balanced structure and perfect integration with the French new oak barrels. It has a delightful long lingering finish.    (hide)

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