Montes Alpha, Casablanca Chardonnay Single Bottle
Country: Chile Region: Casablanca Vintage: 2020
Category: White Wine Color: White
Producer: Montes
"The Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon, first produced in 1987, broke the mould for premium wines in Chile. It was a modern expression of a classic grape which illustrated that Chile could produce wines that stood shoulder to shoulder with what their competitors around the world were making. Since then, Alpha has gone from being a single wine to being the core range in the Montes portfolio. The grapes and sites are carefully selected each year in order to ensure varietal integrity and complexity. Viticulture is hands on and individual rather than mechanical and industrial and the Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Malbec, Merlot and Syrah sites are irrigated via a 'Sustainable Dry Farmed' system, developed by Aurelio and his team, which allows for extremely precise and minimal irrigation, reducing their water footprint by 65%. This approach reduced yields and resulted in smaller bunches and berries, which in turn resulted in wines with deeper colour and more depth, flavour and structure.
The result is a range of wines that offer superb value within the premium wine market - whether from Chile or anywhere else. The Alpha Chardonnay is ripe and melony, while the Pinot Noir, from grapes close to the coast rather than inland (where Sena is made), is fragrant and supple, a classic expression of cool climate Pinot. The fuller reds, which need of greater ripeness, are all from Colchagua, an area that Aurelio Montes has long pioneered. The Merlot is ripe and fleshy, while the Cabernet is full yet refined. The Carmenere has plenty of tobacco and supple and grainy tannins, while the Malbec is a superb example of this variety from Chile. The Montes Alpha Brut is a traditional method sparkling wine of outsanding value, made with 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay and shows elegant aromatics of ripe citrus fruit, blossom and toast alongside a creamy yet crisp finish."
Product Features: Sustainable;Vegan;Vegetarian
Product Allergens: Sulphites Label
Winemaker: Aurelio Montes Baseden
Vineyards:
The vineyards for this wine are in the Aconcagua Costa region, where cool breezes and proximity to the Pacific Ocean produce ideal conditions for the Chardonnay to ripen slowly and fully. The sites are irrigated via a 'Sustainable Dry Farmed' system, developed by Aurelio and his team, which allows for extremely precise and minimal irrigating. The varied sandy and loam soils lend this wine tremendous complexity. The primary clones used are Dijon 76 and Clone 95, the former contributing tropical fruit and citrus and the latter lending volume from exceptionally concentrated grapes. The vineyards are vertically trained and drip-irrigated, with yields usually less than 9000 kg/ha.
Vinification:
Clusters are hand-picked early in the morning to keep them cool until they reach the winery. The grapes are processed in one of three ways — full-cluster pressed, destemmed then pressed, or cold-soaked for several hours. The three techniques create different profiles and aromas. 40% is fermented in barrels (new and second and third use). Following malolactic fermentation around 40% of the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 months.
Tasting Notes:
A deep golden yellow colour. Aromas of ripe tropical fruit, pineapple, banana and apricot, with complexity from asparagus and artichoke hearts typical of coastal-climate wines. The French oak confers elegant notes of toast and vanilla and heightens the lactic butterscotch tones. The palate is refreshing, with great volume and a fruity persistence.
Food Suggestion: A most versatile wine for food matching. Pair with salmon tatare, lobster and fresh seafood, mature cheeses, crab pie or white meats with soft sauces.
Closure: Stelvin Lux ABV: 13.9% Acidity [g/l]: 6.7
