2005 Viña Montes Alpha M Apalta Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2005 Alpha M is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, and 5% Merlot. Purple-colored, it offers a classic Pauillac-like nose of pain grille, vanilla, tobacco, earth notes, black currant, and blackberry. This leads to a full-bodied wine which maintains a sense of elegance. Layered with plenty of ripe fruit, there is enough tannin to support 5-7 years of further bottle aging. Well balanced with a long, firm finish, the Alpha M should be at its best from 2015 to 2030. Under the enlightened leadership of Aurelio Montes, the Montes winery remains one of the standard-bearers for Chilean wines. The Carmenere-based Purple Angel is one of the two or three best of its type; the Folly is arguably Chile’s finest Syrah, and the Montes Alpha M one of the Cabernet-based icons. Importer: TGIC, Woodland Hills, CA; tel. (800) 924-0300
Critic scores
Average Score
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous
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The 2005 Montes Alpha M is based on Cabernet Sauvignon from a warm vintage in Apalta. This vintage reflects the house’s shift toward concentration, including bleeding techniques and water stress. Aged entirely in new barrels, it opens with tar, pitch and black fruit. This is rich and structured, with grippy, slightly drying tannins and restrained evolution. The 2005 is a bold, ripe expression.