Montes Alpha - Special Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Pairing Suggestions
Montes Alpha - Special Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 (88 TSW)
Yesterday we enjoyed the better weather in the Netherlands. Later that night we opened this lovely Cab from Colchagua Valley - Chile.
Montes is a leader in Chile and was at the basis of the quality improvement that the country has gone through. Aurelio Montes Sr. was chosen as the most influential winemaker in Chile.
In 1987 it was Aurelio Montes and 3 partners who took the initiative to start a wine company with the aim of exploiting the full potential of Chile as a wine country and producing the highest possible quality wine. Montes is now one of the absolute top producers in Chile and Aurelio was recently chosen as the most influential wine man in the country. Montes has five vineyards.
Three of them are in Curico Valley and two in Colchagua Valley, together they cover an area of 600 ha. In 2004 a completely new winery was built in Alpalta that was set up according to the Chinese Fengh Shui philosophy. In the meantime Aurelio jr. Has also earned his spurs as a winemaker and together with his father he forms a close and successful team.
About the wine:
65% of the wine was aged for 16 months in first, second, and third-use French oak barrels. Decanter for 30 minutes. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 85%, Syrah 10%, Carmenère 5%.
In the glass a deep impenetrable purple color.
On the medium++ nose showing lovely aromas of blackberries, plum and cassis with well integrated hints of chocolate, tobacco and spices.
On the palate dry, medium++ bodied with rich mouthfeel, medium ripe tannins and nice acidity, Very well balanced and round. Not too complex but easy drinking with blackcurrants, plums, cassis, cedar and menthol hints.
This wine is perfect with food like red meat from the grill, lamb chobs and pasta.