Viña Montes, founded in 1987 by winemaking and viticulture experts Aurelio Montes, Douglas Murray, Alfredo Vidaurre, and Pedro Grand, aimed to produce premium-quality wines in Chile, previously known for mass-produced wines.
Viña Montes revolutionized Chilean viticulture by prioritizing quality, exploring new land, conducting innovative practices, and preserving Chilean identity without foreign investment. They significantly elevated Chile’s wine industry reputation.
The grapes used in the production of this Montes Alpha Syrah are from the famous Colchagua Valley in Chile. They are sourced from the steep blocks of the Apalta Estate and the slopes of the Marchigüe Estate, which feature granite-rich soils.
This Montes Alpha Syrah is a blend of 90% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Viognier. The Viognier adds floral notes of violet and jasmine along with stone fruit aromas like peach or apricot while the Cabernet Sauvignon adds bold tannin structure and high acidity. The wine was then aged with 50% of it spending 12 months in first, second, and third use French oak barrels. [ABV: 14.5%, TA: 3.82 g/L, pH: 3.5]
This wine is deep purple in color with aromas of blackberry and plum. On the palate, it has good rich flavors of blackberry, boysenberry and chocolate (from the oak aging). The deep, rich flavors lead to a medium-long finish.
Montes Alpha Syrah is wonderful, big, bold red wine that is affordable and attainable. A perfect match as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Media Sample Provided by Montes Wines via Kobrand Wine and Spirits