2022 Colchagua Carmenère, Montes Alpha

• Style: Silky, structured red with dark fruit and toasted spice
• Taste: Plum, cassis, dark chocolate, ripe tannins, vibrant core
• Food: Beef, steak, lamb, BBQ, grilled dishes, stews, mushroom
• Occasion: Weeknight dinner, Sunday lunch, entertaining
• Serve: 14.5% ABV, Stelvin Lux closure, drink now or age

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Plum and cassis leap from the glass alongside toasted spice and dark chocolate, announcing a Carmenère allowed to ripen fully in warm sun. On the palate, silky ripe tannins frame a vibrant fruit core without heaviness—this is a wine with body and presence that moves through your mouth with ease, rewarding a proper pour.

The Winery — Montes Alpha

Montes was founded in 1988 to prove Chile could produce world-class reds. Their Alpha range remains the flagship collection, where careful fruit selection and hands-on viticulture combine to deliver varietal integrity and complexity. The 2022 vintage benefited from ideal conditions: a frost-free winter, spring rains supporting steady growth, and a dry summer with heat during véraison pushing full aromatic development. Harvest in late April and early May allowed the Carmenère (90% of the blend, with 10% Sauvignon Blanc for brightness) to achieve maturity without over-ripeness. Hand-harvesting into small bins, manual bunch selection, and a five-day cold soak built layered aromatics before fermentation. Twelve months in French oak barrels and concrete aging added structure and toasted depth while preserving the grape's true character.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This Colchagua Valley expression shines alongside beef, game, and anything grilled with char and smoke—barbecue, stews, braises, lamb, and mushroom dishes all find their match. Equally at home mid-week with dinner or when friends arrive hungry, this red works for weeknight occasions and Sunday lunches alike. At 14.5% ABV with a Stelvin Lux closure, it's built for both immediate drinking and graceful aging. Discover what Chile's historic Bordeaux grape can achieve.