This is based on samples provided by the winery or organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

2012 Montes Twins

2011 Montes Cabernet Sauvignon Alpha

 

 

 

About the winery:

Founded in 1988, Viña Montes is the brainchild of Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray, both veterans of the wine industry.  Along with partners Alfredo Vidaurre and Pedro Grand, they created Viña Montes with the goal of elevating the quality and reputation of Chilean wines – both in Chile and around the world.  In the quarter century since, Viña Montes has played a pivotal role in enhancing awareness, affinity, and acclaim for Chilean wines in more than 100 countries worldwide.  In essence, Viña Montes has become the benchmark for premium Chilean wines.

 

The winery produces 950,000 cases of wine a year under the following “labels”:

Montes Alpha “M” – Ultra-premium Bordeaux-variety blend

Montes Folly – Super-premium, limited-production Syrah

Purple Angel – Super-premium Carménère

Montes Alpha – Label that pioneered Chile’s first “premium” wines

          This label includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Chardonnay,   Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah

Limited Selection – Small-lot wines, limited distribution

          This labels includes Cabernet Sauvignon / Carménère, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc

Montes Classic Series – Value wines, broad distribution

          This label includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc

Montes Cherub – Rosé of Syrah

Montes Twins – Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec

Montes Late Harvest: Botrytised Gewurztraminer

 

 

 

These wines were provided to me by feast PR.  For more information, check out their site by clicking here.  As of this posting, the site was still under construction.  Information can also be received by e-mailing Jennifer O’Flanagan at jen.oflanagan@feastpr.com.

 

 

 

Here is the line up for this tasting:

 

 

 

2012 Montes Twins – SRP $17

This wine is a blend of 50% Malbec from the Marchigüe vineyard and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon Apalta vineyard.  The yields were 3.6 tons per acre.  After fermentation, 60% of the wine was aged for 10 months in new French oak barrels.

 

The wine has 14.0% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark ruby color.  The exotic nose has blackberries, earthy underbrush, fresh ground espresso, vanilla, tomato leaf, dark chocolate and dried wildflowers.  This has medium body with soft to moderate tannins and decent acidity.  On the palate berries, espresso and earthiness jump out first with dark chocolate coming in on the back end.  A slight dried floral note comes through on the decent length finish.  This is a touch soft and seems to have a hint of residual sweetness which means the wine would work in a party setting.  This could use a bit more structure and complexity to reach the next level.  (86 pts)

 

 

 

2011 Montes Cabernet Sauvignon Alpha – SRP $25

This wine is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot.  After fermentation, the wine was aged for 12 months in a mix of new and used French oak barrels.  The total production was 109,000 cases.

 

This wine has 13.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby red color.  The nose has cassis, dark chocolate, cedar, mint and a green herbal note.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and good acidity.  On the palate cassis and chocolaty oak grab hold, slowly allowing some earthiness and an herbal note to slip in.  The finish has good length with nice fruit and chocolate along with the lingering green pepper note.  If you don’t mind a green pepper note, you will like this more than I do.  (85 pts)

 

 

 

Closing Thoughts

These are two nicely priced wines that can be easily found for well under the suggested retail price.  The average price I saw for the Twins was under $12.  At that price this can be served at a party without breaking the bank.

 

 

 

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Cheers!

 

 

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Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive.  I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!