2022 Colchagua Malbec, Montes Alpha

• Style: Dry, full-bodied Malbec
• Taste: Ripe cherry, violet, vanilla and dulce de leche with rounded tannins
• Food: Beef, barbecue, carne asada, stews, lamb, game
• Occasion: Weeknight dining, Sunday lunch
• Serve: 16–18°C, decant 15 mins, 14.5% ABV

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Intense ruby with violet hues, this 2022 Malbec opens with ripe cherry and violets, followed by vanilla and dulce de leche from the French oak. Rounded, well-integrated tannins keep it supple and immediate, and the wine closes on a long, lingering finish. A masterclass in balancing warmth with restraint.

The Winery — Montes

Founded in 1988, Montes was established to produce world-class wines from Chile's finest regions. The Alpha line remains their flagship, developed from carefully selected grapes and vineyard sites to ensure varietal integrity and complexity. This vintage reflects Montes' hands-on viticulture approach—five days of cold soaking drew out the aromas, followed by a 12-day fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel. Post-fermentation maceration on the skins developed structure and colour. Half the blend then spent 12 months in French oak barrels (50% new), adding roundness without overwhelming the fruit. The result is confident winemaking that knows restraint.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This Malbec from Colchagua Valley's granitic terroir is built for the table. Roasted, grilled, or carne asada beef are natural partners; it holds its own with barbecue, stews and braises, lamb, and game. At 14.5% ABV, full-bodied with medium tannin, it suits both casual weeknight dining and Sunday lunch gatherings. Vegan-friendly, the fruit is hand harvested from Montes' own Apalta and Marchigüe vineyards, farmed under a precise, water-saving irrigation system. This vintage offers an excellent entry point to Colchagua's diverse portfolio and the depth Montes brings to world-class winemaking.