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.