Unparalleled beauty is what Montes from Chile stands for. The winery has a very long and rich history, and today, the knowledge of Chilean viticulture is incredibly high. Since its founding in 1987 by Aurelio Montes and three partners, the winery has achieved nothing but success. It has won numerous international wine awards, inspiring enthusiasm among the public. Aurelio Montes received the biggest award a few years ago, when he was voted the most influential winemaker in the country. This is not surprising, as Montes now has over 600 hectares of vineyards spread across the country. He proudly passed on his life's work to his son, Aurelio Jr., who is following in his father's footsteps. Aurelio Jr. Montes was born into winemaking, and this is clearly reflected in the style of the wines: pure and powerful, where you can truly taste the grape.
The old Chardonnay vineyard of Montes
Montes has a total of 600 hectares of vineyards spread across five different parcels. The vineyards are located in the Curico Valley and Colchagua, where the grapes enjoy abundant sunshine and the cool local climate. For this Chardonnay from the classic series, the grapes come from the Valley de Curico region. The old vineyard, with the Andes Mountains as a backdrop, provides the winemaker with a unique harvest. The Chardonnay grapes enjoy the bright sun but also the cool breeze. The cool wind that blows across the Andes peaks provides the harvest with the necessary cooling. This ensures a very even ripening process for the Chardonnay grapes, allowing for a full harvest.
Wood aging for the Montes Chardonnay
The grapes are harvested by hand at night and in the morning to protect the bunches from oxidation and bruising during transport to Montes. Approximately one-third of the wine is then aged for six to eight months in oak barrels. French oak barrels are used to give the white wine more depth. And it certainly succeeded: a full-bodied and powerful Chardonnay with very ripe aromas and flavors. The result is unparalleled, and it begins the moment we open this bottle. We immediately smell the powerful aroma of the Chardonnay grape, abundant tropical fruit, and vanilla. In the glass, we see a golden yellow color with a very thick structure. It clings to the glass, and we give our nose time to take it all in. We smell hints of peach, grapefruit, pineapple, and a touch of vanilla and spice. On the palate, this Montes Chardonnay leaves a warm and thick sensation on the tongue. Beautiful flavors of tropical fruit, banana, vanilla, and some oak. The finish is long and balanced, which makes this Montes Reserva Chardonnay complete.
2023
