Viña Montes 2014 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon - 91pts

Viña Montes 2014 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon (D.O. Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB Signature and private wine stores
Cost: $20-25 +tax
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: December 31st, 2019

Tasting Notes: Actually a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, this dry-farmed, high-altitude beauty offers exceptional value, delivering classic, Cabernet-Merlot aromas and flavours of minty-cassis and smoky-anise. Dry, balanced and food-friendly with impressive depth for the under $25 price tag. Drink now-2022+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Viña Montes 2013 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon - 90-92pts

Viña Montes 2013 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon (D.O. Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB Signature and private wine stores
Cost: $22-25 +tax
Alcohol: 15.2%
Date Tasted: June 25th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Starting with the 2012 vintage, the Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% dry-farmed, meaning the vineyard's only water-source is that which nature provides during the growing season. This adds sustainability 'cred' to the winery's marketing copy but also noticeable quality improvements as well. Older vines with deep roots make the practice viable, forcing the vines to work harder to get the water it needs; vines in a constant state of struggle produce the best wine.

The result is crazy intensity and depth for the price with concentrated, black currant, eucalyptus-mint, toasted oak and warm spice aromas on the dense nose followed by a velvety palate with similar flavours and a long, refined, mouth-watering finish where lively dark fruit puree notes linger. Has the pedigree to age a decade. Drink 2016-2023+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Viña Montes 2007 Montes Folly - 93pts

Viña Montes 2007 Montes Folly (Alpalta Valley) Colchagua Valley - Chile

Availability: BCLDB Signature and private wine stores
Cost: $86.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: The expressive nose and silky palate present rich blackberry and blueberry fruit notes that are complimented with elegant toasted oak and warm earth characters. Extremely well balanced with solid structure from refined, developed tannins. Produced from 17-18 year old vines that are really producing some amazing fruit. Aged in French oak for 18 months with a further 12 months+ of bottle aging prior to release.

The acid is up and the richness on the palate is down when compared to the utterly stunning 2006 release, yet the wine remains the champion of all South American Syrah and the wine to gauge against. Drinking beautifully now with a cellar worthy track record that should keep this wine a fixture in your collection for another 8-10 years. Drink 2012-2020+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca