The Montes winery has a very long history, having been founded in 1987. Along with three partners, Aurelio Montes worked tirelessly to extract the very best from the grapes. This hasn't happened overnight, however, as Montes has invested heavily over the years, establishing new vineyards, improving the winery, and implementing modern winemaking techniques. All of this has even led to Aurelio Montes recently being named the most influential winemaker in the country. He's proud of this achievement, and now his son, Aurelio Jr., has followed in his father's footsteps. It's instilled in Aurelio Jr. from a young age, and it clearly shows: the wines remain exceptionally smooth and rich in flavor.
The sustainable vineyard of Montes
Montes Winery has no fewer than five different vineyards in Chile. The vineyards are spread across the country, and the winemaker selects the grape varieties to find the best locations. In total, Montes has 600 hectares of vineyards in the very best locations in Chile. The vineyards in Curico Valley and Colchagua Valley enjoy unique climates. For this red wine, made from Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes come from the Colchagua Valley region. Here, the old vines enjoy a sun-drenched climate where the grapes ripen easily. The fresh breeze from the Pacific Ocean provides the necessary cooling, virtually eliminating disease. The ocean's influence is clearly noticeable, resulting in a very full and ripe harvest. The vineyards are located just 25 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean. After a long ripening period, the harvest is brought in early in the morning. The grapes are rigorously inspected, and only the finest are used in this bottle of red wine.
Wood aging for the Montes Cabernet Sauvignon
At the winery, designed entirely according to Feng Shui principles, the black sap is aged in oak barrels. The magnificent Montes wine cellar is a feast for the eyes. Harmony and a positive atmosphere are what this red wine ages for at least eight months. French oak barrels are used to give the wine more depth. Well, it's a success! A unique red wine made almost entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon. A small portion of this wine also contains Merlot, which gives it a softer character.
The aroma and taste of the Cabernet Sauvignon from Montes
Upon opening this beautiful bottle, we immediately smell a warm bouquet of ripe red and black fruit. In the glass, it shimmers ruby red and immediately delivers a rich aroma. A swirl reveals hints of strawberry, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and blackcurrant. After the fruity initial attack, nuances of vanilla, mocha, and fresh leather emerge. The palate is a feast for the eyes, with a full mouthfeel and abundant black fruit, later giving way to spice and vanilla. On the back of the tongue, this Montes Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon also offers refined flavors of caramel, cedar, and vanilla. What a gem from Chile this is!
2022
