Montes Alpha is one of Chile's most iconic wines and helped put Chilean Cabernet on the global map. This is textbook premium Cabernet Sauvignon: concentrated black fruits, well-judged oak, and fine tannins. Impressive now but will reward cellaring. Excellent value for the quality.
Intense, polished colour typical of premium Colchagua Cabernet. The purple rim indicates relative youth and excellent fruit concentration.
Quintessential modern Cabernet. Immediately plush and inviting with cassis and blackcurrant at the forefront—pure Cabernet character. Dark cherries and ripe blackberry add depth. The oak programme shows: vanilla, toast, and a hint of coffee integrate beautifully with the fruit. Graphite and pencil shavings add a mineral dimension, while subtle mint and eucalyptus provide classic Chilean Cabernet freshness. A touch of violet floral lift completes an impressively layered nose.
Intensity: Pronounced | Condition: Clean, polished
None — this wine is best enjoyed young
Flavour profile: Cassis, dark cherry, blackberry, chocolate, vanilla, cedar, graphite, hint of mint
Finish: Long, velvety finish with persistent dark fruit and fine tannins
The Apalta vineyard in Colchagua Valley is one of Chile's most prestigious sites. Steep granite hillsides facing north (towards the sun in the Southern Hemisphere) receive optimal exposure. Cool morning fogs from the coastal Humboldt Current moderate heat, while the Andes provide afternoon shade.
Apalta's granite soils provide excellent drainage and force vines to root deeply for water, concentrating flavours. The decomposed granite adds mineral notes and finesse. Clay subsoils retain moisture, crucial during Chile's dry growing season. The rocky terrain stresses vines appropriately, producing small, concentrated berries ideal for premium Cabernet.
Chile enjoys some of the world's most dramatic diurnal temperature variation. Hot days ripen fruit fully, while cold nights—caused by Pacific Ocean cooling and Andean air drainage—preserve natural acidity and extend the growing season. This extended hang time develops complex flavours while maintaining balance. The result: ripe but fresh wines.
Hand-harvested, sorted twice (vineyard and winery). Fermentation in stainless steel with temperature control. Extended maceration (3-4 weeks) for colour and tannin. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels (30-40% new). The Merlot component adds softness and flesh. Minimal fining and filtration.
Philosophy: Balance of power and elegance, showcasing terroir through meticulous winemaking
Viña Montes was founded in 1988 by four Chilean wine industry veterans: Aurelio Montes Sr. (winemaker), Douglas Murray, Alfredo Vidaurre, and Pedro Grand. Their goal was to prove Chile could produce world-class wines. Montes Alpha, launched in 1988, was revolutionary—the first premium Chilean wine at a time when the country was known only for bulk production. The estate pioneered hillside viticulture in Apalta and has since expanded to Argentina (Kaiken) and California.
Aurelio Montes Jr. (continuing his father's legacy)
Montes combines perfectionism with spiritual beliefs. The winery plays Gregorian chant in its barrel rooms, believing music enhances wine ageing. The philosophy centres on site selection, sustainable practices, and meticulous attention at every stage. They were pioneers of organic and sustainable viticulture in Chile.
Notable: Montes Alpha is credited with launching Chile's premium wine era. The Folly vineyard (planted at 45° slopes) was considered impossible—hence the name.