Montes Alpha Malbec

Tasting note Montes Alpha Malbec

A powerful yet elegant Malbec from the Colchagua Valley in Chile. On the nose, it offers plenty of ripe raspberries, black cherries, and plums, complemented by violets, leather, and subtle notes of smoke and spices.

The palate is broad and rich, but thanks to fresh acidity and silky tannins, the wine remains beautifully balanced. The ripe fruit is complemented by notes of vanilla, toasted oak, and a slight spiciness. The finish is long and refined.

Food pairing

Montes Alpha Malbec naturally pairs well with typical South American meat dishes, such as grilled meat, red meat, pork, lamb, and Mexican dishes. Grilling, roasting, smoking, spiced, peppery—it all works.

Additional information

After traditional vinification, the hand-picked Montes Alpha Malbec grapes are aged for 12 months in 60% used and new French oak. Montes Alpha Malbec has a deep dark red color. The wine can certainly be cellared perfectly for 5 to 7 years after the harvest.

The grapes for this Alpha Malbec used by Montes come from two different vineyards. The Apalta vineyards, which are located in a warm climate, provide elegance, ripe fruit, and soft yet firm tannins. The other vineyards are those in Marchigüe. Here, the climate is much cooler, which provides young, red fruit, freshness, and powerful tannins.

Wine scores/awards

92 points – Alistair Cooper MW, 2021 vintage
93 points – James Suckling, 2021 vintage
89 points – Wine Spectator, 2022 vintage

Fun fact

Malbec is currently best known as the signature grape of Argentina, but its origins lie in France. In Chile, the grape acquires a unique character: the combination of ripe fruit, fresh acidity, and the influence of the cool nights in Colchagua creates a Malbec that can be both powerful and elegant.