Just Grapes

Montes Alpha “M’ 2005

I virtually never drink Chilean wines. I happened to have this bottle in my cellar from many years ago – Montes’ top Bordeaux-style blend dominated by 80% Cab Sauv with 10% Cab Franc and the rest split between Petit Verdot and Merlot. Cellar-tracker suggested this was ready for drinking so I popped it with a steak.

This is good wine. It is balanced and structured. It has more fruit and sun-power than Bordeaux, but in my view less complexity than similarly priced bottles from Bordeaux ‘off-vintages’ or lesser estates. An age-worthy wine, but one that does not excite. For me the choice is easy – lesser estate Bordeaux or 2nd wines from classical Californian producers like Togni, Ridge, Mount Eden, Spootswoode, or Corrison. Chile has not yet hit stride with these similarly priced options.

Excellent
$80 USD currently on Winesearcher. Around $80 CDN at BCLDB upon release.

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