Montes Alpha Colchagua Valley Syrah

Always worth having a bottle on the shelf -

Lightly Smoked green pepper, a wonderful nose.
Heavier bodied with some green tabaco, pepper, hints of Thai basil, oregano, rounded out with older staves and high licorice acidity.
This winery never disappoints.

1988 was the firstbrelease of Montes Alpha wine when Montes became one of the first premium wineries in Chile. Today Aurelio Montes continues leading the winemaking effort. A blend of 90% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon & 3% Viognier. Very dark red with aromas of berry fruit and cedar spice notes. On the palate blueberry and cherry flavors with cacao, leather and vanilla oak. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with toasty spice. Nice value.

Smells of escargot in shallots.

This is one of those wines you should always have on the shelf, when you need a guaranteed well made Syrah.

Green pepper, smoke, fat, bright acidic fruit, dried plums, well integrated tannins with that acidity, tabac, and cocoa bring up the rear, and linger on.

Unquestionably one of the best Syrahs I’ve encountered outside of France (okay, no, I haven’t tried enough, but still). Wonderfully rounded body, tons of mocha notes and a very lengthy finish. Not sure if other vintages are as good, but this one bangs.

Medium purple; medium plus intensity aromas of blackberry, blueberry, farmyard, summer sausage, licorice, cedar, vanilla ; developing; dry, medium acid, medium plus tannins, high alcohol, medium body, medium plus intensity flavors of blackberry, sweet spices, vanilla

Fun wine. Not amazing but really good quality for the money. Drinks like old world

1988 was the firstbrelease of Montes Alpha wine when Montes became one of the first premium wineries in Chile. Today Aurelio Montes continues leading the winemaking effort. A blend of 90% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon & 3% Viognier. Very dark red with full berry fruit nose adding mineral and spice notes. On the palate blueberry and cherry flavors with cacao and vanilla oak accompanying soft tannins. Lingering finish ending with toasty spice. Nice value.

Big wine with a bit o' burn. (Think the roar of chewbacca) earthen oil, gritty oak, cured tobacco leaf. Tall dark and pretty.

So consistent, and represents great value for money. Smooth, lithe and open-knit. Hints of caramel, olives and spice box on the nose. Plush texture and wonderful weight. Blackberries and blueberries are evident. Perfect tannic and acid structure. This is a fun quaff.

Dark and deep ruby red. Green notes, guava, petrol and twigs on the nose. Still a little dirty and light dark fruits after an hour or two. A little metallic on the finish. Light tannins (4.5/10) and light bodied. Medium finish with slight fruit on the palate. A bit green too. Drink till 2017.