Montes ALPHA FOLLY Colchagua Valley Chile

Handsome ruby-red colour. Outstanding fruit, with a noseful of red berries, black cherry, black pepper, hints of tobacco. These elements come through on the palate, revealing a full-bodied wine. In mid-palate it is round and velvety with an added touch of vanilla and toast, followed by a long and smooth finish. Very, very elegant. Aged in French oak. Montes Alpha was the first of the premium Chilean wines. Initially only Cabernet was available, but the range has expanded to include both Chardonnay and Merlot. All the wines exhibit concentration, elegance and sophistication, and come from very old, low-yielding, ungrafted vines with pre-phylloxera rootstocks. The wines are made by Aurelio Montes, one of the most respected of all the Chilean winemakers, who has just released the first super-premium wine from Chile, Montes Alpha "M". (12 x 75 cl)

One of the top Chilean Cabernets, aged for 12 months in French oak. Sourced from 100 year-old vines. Intense ruby in colour with red fruits, evocations of blackcurrant, chocolate and cigar box, in balance with well-integrated oak . Of great complexity in the mouth, in mid-palate is full-bodied and balanced with a lasting persistence and a remarkable finish. Although a superb wine as it is, it may also be considered as a great wine for cellaring. Our first version was recently selected among the best ten year old red wines in the world. Montes Alpha was the first of the premium Chilean wines. Initially only Cabernet was available, but the range has expanded to include both Chardonnay and Merlot. All the wines exhibit concentration, elegance and sophistication, and come from very old, low-yielding, ungrafted vines with pre-phylloxera rootstocks. The wines are made by Aurelio Montes, one of the most respected of all the Chilean winemakers, who has just released the first super-premium wine from Chile, Montes Alpha "M". (12 x 75 cl)

The slopes of Apalta in Colchagua enclose a half-moon shaped area with a unique micro-climate, defined by the mountains and one of Chile's widest rivers, the Tinguiririca. The best slopes in this valley, with a 15% average inclination, are found on our property where we grow the grapes for Montes Alpha "M". Having a west-south-west exposure allows for exactly the right number of hours of sunlight and provides us with an ocean breeze . The very warm days but cool winds at night, with their lowering temperatures, give a micro-climate particularly suited for growing red grape varieties. Add to this, the poor soils with little organic matter, drip irrigation, and the high density of vines make growing conditions just right. Montes Alpha "M" is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot and Cabernet Franc which enhances the elegance of the first variety, and is in total harmony with the softness of the second and austerity of the third. The wine is an intense multi-hued ruby red with an aroma redolent of berries. The red fruit with notes of black pepper and spices blends harmoniously when aged one year in French oak barriques that contribute subtle vanilla tones. On the palate, it is perfectly balanced, full-bodied and superbly voluptuous on the mid-palate with a rewarding, lingering aftertaste of mature grapes and acidity that reflects its superb structure. Although young, Montes Alpha "M" can be enjoyed now or cellared for several years . We recommend serving this wine with lamb chops, roast lamb, lamb casserole, steak and kidney in all its forms, roast goose or roast turkey, also beef Bourguignonne, roast venison, rabbit, boar. If you are a vegetarian, it will go extremely well with vegetable lasagne. (6 x 75 cl)

Montes were and still are one of the pioneers of top quality Chilean wine. Their objective has always been to create wines of finesse and balance. Their success in this is shown by the International WINE Challenge Gold Medals for in 2000 and also the International WINE and Spirit Competition Gold Medals for Alpha Chardonnay in I999 and Alpha 'M' in 2000. Aurelio Montes is the creator of the wines and was Chilean winemaker of the year in 1995. They continue to invest in vineyards. Their vineyard, La Finca de Apalta, in Colchagua, is a dramatic exercise in rock moving, ground clearing and planting on the lower slopes. They have recently acquired 300 hectares at Marchigue further along the Colchagua Valley towards the Pacific Coast. Recent wine developments are the new Alpha Syrah and Reserve Pinot Noir. Aurelio has brought his delicate touch to these two difficult grapes to create typical Montes wines of real character and finesse (12 x 75 cl)

A young Merlot with some oak ageing. Elegant, refined and a marked fruitiness almost irresistible to Merlot lovers, and to those who sample it for the first time. Strong, spicy black pepper, full of harmony and soft to the palate. Aurelio Montes, the winemaker, decided to blend 15% Cabernet Sauvignon with this Merlot, to marry better with the oak, and give structure and finesse, that will also permit long-term ageing. Aged in American oak. (12 x 75 cl)

Montes LIMITED SELECTION Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile from Chile, Rapel, Colchagua Valley by Montes (12 x 75 cl)

Deep and youthful purple colour showing a combination of aromas including the dark fruit flavours given by the Apalta Carmenere, the spicy and lively hints given by the Marchigue Carmenere , and wildness of black berries given by the Petit Verdot. This wine is full bodied, with a considerable amount of ripe tannins giving grip and structure to this lovely wine. Montes pioneered the Chilean wine scene by creating super-premium wines, including the Montes Alpha range, and icons such as Montes Alpha M and Montes Folly. Montes also led the way to quality by planting on steep mountain slopes. But Montes, Chile's wine pioneer, also knows when to wait –Aurelio Montes preferred to take his time and develop the Carmenere variety until he was satisfied that it could be a top contender, the very best Montes could possibly produce. It was worth the wait...this new beauty is touched by the wings of an angel... a Purple Angel. Limited Availability. (6 x 75 cl)

85% Malbec plus 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Malbec grapes come from 50 year old vineyards in Nancagua . Picked when sugar content was 23 Brix and PH reached 3.5. Grapes were transported in 15 Kgs. trays to our main cellar in Curico, where they were crushed and fermented. Fermentation took place at 30¼ C in order to extract colour, flavours and ripe tannins. A long maceration of 30 days was carried out during this period. The wine was racked out of the skins. Aurelio Montes, the winemaker, decided not to do any additional treatment, except for cold-stabilisation. It was bottled in August. Aged in American oak. (12 x 75 cl)

Vinified with clean must separating three different lots, using three different strains of selected yeasts. Fermented and aged in French oak for 1 year, 40% of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation. Sourced from over 50 year old vines. The wine remains in its original cask for one year using a monthly batonage to enhance buttery flavours and complexity, which emphasises the union of refined flavours of tropical fruit and aromas. Full-bodied and creamy in the mid-palate and very complex. One of the few Chilean whites that will improve over the years. Montes Alpha was the first of the premium Chilean wines. Initially only Cabernet was available, but the range has expanded to include both Chardonnay and Merlot. All the wines exhibit concentration, elegance and sophistication, and come from very old, low-yielding, ungrafted vines with pre-phylloxera rootstocks. The wines are made by Aurelio Montes, one of the most respected of all the Chilean winemakers, who has just released the first super-premium wine from Chile, Montes Alpha "M". (12 x 75 cl)