I had read up on Chilean wines after trying a few bottles 8 or 10 years ago, most of what's available to us are the entry level bottlings. They are good, reasonably priced, everyday wines that are perfect for most foods. But in Hugh Johnson's pocket guide to wine he talks about the next levels of bottles that for a while weren't available to us in this area.
So when I visited the Total wine store in Norwalk CT 4 years ago, and saw this mid range offering from Montes I had to try it. That vintage was definitely a cut above the basic bottlings, and I added some bottles to my cellar.
Now that we have a big new NH Liquor outlet in West Lebanon, both the entry level and the Alpha bottles are on the shelves. For a few dollars more the Alpha is the better deal (when it's on sale)
Montes dry farms the vineyards sustainably, resulting in a 65% decrease in their water footprint. The soils are healthier, which makes for happy vines, and they produce grapes with better flavors and aromatics. And we get to drink delicious wine... win win.
The Alpha opens with notes of mint, plum, cherry, and other red fruit in the nose, the palate has cherry, plum, fine tannins, and a delicate spiciness on the finish. It has a beautiful deep red color, still clear at the very edge of the wine in the glass.
I drank this bottle over 3 days, and it continued to develop and open with new elements in the nose and palate. Day 2 the mint was more prominent, along with an added note of currants and blackberries, a hint of black raspberries in the palate, and more of a full mouth, almost creamy feel by day 3.
I think this would pair well with a peppercorn crusted steak, grilled garlic/rosemary lamb chops, a traditional roast chicken dinner, I might even try stuffed pork chops with garlic smashed potatoes and brown gravy....
Available at the NH Liquor outlets on sale currently for $11.99 per bottle, (regularly $20) Total wine has it for $16.99, and it's probably about the same price over in the Glens Falls area of NY.
Give it a try for something different from the California wines, if you have a decanter or carafe decant for an hour or so before the meal at this point in its development. I think a few more years in the cellar will bring out some other flavors in it also.
Cheers!
Ed
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