Montes tasting (Chile)

[Drew]

Stopped in one of my favorite stores Sat. and they were hosting a Montes wine tasting so I HAD to taste.

2001 Montes Cabernet Sauvignon (Reserve) - Very good cabernet with deep flavors of cassis, dark fruit,chocolate and earthy undertones. Great value for $9.

2001 MONTES "Limited Selection" Cabernet 70% + Carmenère 30% = Probably my least favorite of the tasting. A leaner and more astringent version of the wine above $13

2001 MONTES ALPHA Cabernet Sauvignon
One step better than there $9 cab. More intense flavors with a blast of dark chocolate on the finish. Lay this down for a short time and it's gonna be a killer for $20.

2000 MONTES ALPHA Merlot - My wine of the tasting. A beautiful merlot made in the Pommerol style. Very rich, tannic, earthy, chocolate, tobacco and spice. $20 and a case buy with 20% discount ($16 hee, hee...now I just have to sneek it in the house)

2001 MONTES ALPHA Syrah
blackberry with dominating black cherry and red fruits with terroir. Smooth drinking but not flabby, has good acidic structure. Tasted last after the above and didn't show well after the above darker, lusher wines, will try it again, alone.
$20.

BTW, all of the above wines showed an Old World style which was refreshing given the large amount of cloned fruit bombs available. Also I've turned away from many wines from Chile due to the green edge they display which the Montes line did not...very impressive wines at good prices.

Drew

[This message has been edited by Drew (edited 11-09-2003).]