Montes Alpha Colchagua Carmenère 2021
Deep ruby in colour with violet hues, this wine opens with intense aromas of plum, cherry, and cassis mixed with sweet spice and dark chocolate. On the palate, the toasted flavours from the oak are balanced and well-integrated. The vibrant fruit core gives way to silky tannins and a well-structured body, without loss of elegance.
The Carmenère grapes come from Montes' own vineyards in Apalta and Marchigüe, arguably two of the finest sites in the Colchagua Valley. The sites are irrigated via a 'Sustainable Dry Farmed' system which allows for precise and minimal irrigating. In Apalta, vines are planted on 45° slopes, providing good exposure to achieve ripeness. Cool ocean breezes and low night-time temperatures help to moderate this warm area, allowing for slow ripening. Marchigüe is slightly cooler because of its closer proximity to the ocean. Conditions are dry, with the region lying in the rain shadow of the Coastal Range, reducing the threat of fungal disease and resulting inconsistently healthy harvests.
The grapes were hand harvested before going through a second selection at the winery and destemming. Pre-fermentation maceration took place over 5 days, after which selected yeasts were added. Fermentation lasted for 7-10 days before the wine was racked into either stainless steel or concrete tanks where malolactic fermentation occurred. Finally, the wine was aged in 50% new French oak barrels for 12 months. The remainder of the wine waited in concrete tanks prior to blending and bottling.
