Montes Classic Series, Colchagua Merlot
Country: Chile Region: Colchagua Valley
Category: Red Wine Colour: Red
Producer: Montes
The fact that the 'Classic Series' is Montes' entry point says a lot about this estate. The wines are all from their own vineyards, and from different appellations. And what appellations! The reds are all from Colchagua, while the Sauvignon is from cooler Casablanca. All are hand-picked to ensure a first selection in the vineyard. The Sauvignon Blanc is made in a fresh, unoaked style which highlights the pristine fruit. Richer on the palate, the Chardonnay is 60% fermented in oak, and half the blend goes through malolactic fermentation. This gives a texture and complexity seldom found in Chardonnay at this price. The Merlot from Colchagua is aged for six months in American oak and has 15% of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Both add complexity to the plummy, exuberant fruit that makes this wine so appealing. Both the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Malbec are also from Colchagua, and display the depth of colour and flavour that this region lends to its red wines. These wines offer outstanding quality for the price.
Winemaker: Aurelio Montes Baseden
Vineyards:
The Montes Classic Merlot hails from some of the finest growing sites in Chile's Central Valley, predominantly the Colchagua Valley sub-region, at Montes' Apalta and El Arcángel de Marchigüe estates. The more extreme conditions in the Marchigüe vineyards give the wine a deeper colour, as well as great tension and body. Apalta, on the other hand, with its deeper soils and better availability of water, adds diversity to the aromas and unctuousness on the palate.
Tasting Notes:
Predominance of ripe red and black fruit aromas such as strawberries, plums, and fighs on the nose. Notes of crème de cassis intermingle with sweet spices such as nutmeg and black pepper.
In palate, the wine stands out for its well-balanced acidity, medium body, and incredibly smooth tannins. The moderately persistent finish echoes the notes perceived on the nose.
Closure: Natural Cork ABV:13.5% Acidity [g/l]: 3.41
