…memorable

For over 30 years Aurelio and Montes wines has been a leading light of Chilean winemaking, producing consistently outstanding quality Syrah from their famous Colchagua Valley and one of the most respected wines of Chile. Montes craft varietal honest and technically sound wines, and this Chilean Syrah is a prime example.
This ‘Alpha’ Syrah is crafted with selected grapes grown under their ‘Sustainable Farming’ philosophy. Where they leave nature to do the job of irrigation through rain. Montes does not irrigate unless nature doesn’t provide the vines a minimum amount of rain that has been determined each vine needs, they only irrigate to compensate for any difference. Dry farming has proven to increase the final quality of their wines with riper fruit, more palate weight and most importantly decreasing water use by up to 65%.
After a seamless mix of traditional and modern vinification, with Aurelio co-fermenting a small parcel of Viognier. A large portion of this wine was aged in French barriques for 12 months in 50% new oak, along with second and third-use oak barrels, and the rest aging in concrete tanks. After tasting the different portions and looking at the best blend for this vintage - Aurelio added a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, which also originating from Apalta - and then a soft filtering before bottling.

★ In your glass you have a deep plum-red colour, with a shining hue. The inviting nose has ripe dark berries, dried spices, mixed peppercorns, tobacco leaf, cacao and a deft note of oak. The well-balanced palate is broad and engaging celebrating those generous dark fruit flavours and nicely infused local spices. This wine has appealing smooth tannins giving a fine texture and defined structure, with good palate-weight, leading to a memorable dismount.

This 2022 Montes ‘Alpha’ Syrah has 14.5% Alc./vol. Crafted in a classic dry style. Medium decanting for 30 - 45 minutes and serve in a generously shaped glass at 16º- 18ºC • *NZ$39.00

CELLARING POTENTIAL: *(Review 1/11/25)
With medium decanting drinking well this season, plus will develop and age nicely another 4 - 5 years.

FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Perfect wine pairing with slowed cooked or bbq’d prime red meats, rich earthy pasta dishes with a red wine sauce, classic thin-based pizza, varied kebabs, seasoned vegetarian dishes, plus aged hard cheeses - enjoy.