Category: | Red Wines |
Sub-Category: | Red Wines |
Producer: | Montes |
Label Name: | Alpha M |
Vintage: | 1998 |
Country: | Chile |
Region: | Colchagua Valley — Apalta (Finca de Apalta). |
Volume: | 750ml |
ABV: | 13.9% |
Grape(s): | Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Cabernet Franc 10%, Merlot 5%, Petit Verdot 5%. |
Acidity: | 3 |
Tannins: | 4 |
Sweetness: | 1 |
Body: | 5 |
Length: | 5 |
Aroma Intensity: | 5 |
Best Temperature: | 16-18°C |
Awards/Ratings
Wine Spectator: 91 points (1998). Alpha M is widely awarded and consistently scores in the 90s across vintages; featured by Decanter as a Chilean wine legend
Tasting Note
Concentrated dark berries and cassis, black cherry, cedar, tobacco, leather and spice; supple mature tannins, bright acidity and a long, savory finish. (Matured tertiary notes with bottle age).
Food Pairing
Western: roast lamb, grilled ribeye/entrecôte, beef bourguignon, duck confit, hard cheeses. Asian: Korean BBQ (bulgogi/galbi), Chinese char siu or braised beef, Sichuan pepper beef, miso-glazed dishes, teriyaki beef.
Production Method
Hand-harvested with grape-by-grape selection, cold soak and extended post-fermentation maceration; aged ~18 months in (predominantly) new French oak barriques; lightly filtered.
Vineyard Info
Viña Montes — founded and led by Aurelio Montes; Alpha M is a limited-production flagship cuvée from the Apalta estate, produced only in top years.