Montes Alpha - Special Cuvée Chardonnay 2015
Pairing Suggestions
Montes Alpha - Special Cuvée Chardonnay 2015 (89 TSW)
Today another wine from Chile from the famous Montes Alpha winery.
The vineyards that give rise to our Montes Alpha Chardonnay are located in the Aconcagua Costa region. The vines’ proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the marked influence of coastal breezes provide the perfect conditions for this Chardonnay to ripen slowly and fully.
The grapes for this Chardonnay are processed in three different ways - full-cluster pressed, destemmed then pressed, and cold-soaked for several hours. The three techniques have different purposes, helping them to play with aromatic extraction from the skins and with the level of structure desired on the palate.
Close to 40% of the final blend’s components are fermented in barrels with different levels of toast. Once fermentation is complete, 70% of the same components that go into this blend are sulfited to completely stop the action of the yeast and protect the wine from oxidation.
40% of this wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.
My tasting notes:
In the glass a deep yellow color with golden reflections.
On the medium+ nose aromas of bananas, ripe yellow apple, melon and peach with hints of butter, vanilla, hazelnut and light cedar.
On the palate medium+ bodied with nice balance, medium+ acidity and freshness. Not overoaked but in good portions with flavours of peach, tropical fruit and light cedar. Nice and round finish.
Goes well with shellfish, white meat, sushi, pasta with cream sauce and ripe cheeses.