Since it was founded in 1988, Montes Winery, the celebrated Chilean winery well-known for 25 years of innovation, has shown a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Montes Winery is certified under the Wines of Chile Sustainable Code, which addresses the wine region’s needs for sustainable practices in three areas – vineyard, winery and community.

In 2009, Montes Winery began studying the impact of differing levels of vine irrigation on the growth of grapes knowing water is a valuable resource that requires responsible usage.

In September 2014, nearly five years after it began studying dry farming, Montes introduced its 2012 line of Alpha wines, comprised of single varietal wines and produced from its Colchagua dry-farmed vineyards.

Through its dry farming techniques, Montes leaves the watering of vines up to Mother Nature. For instances where rainfall is inadequate for proper vine development, Montes supplements with minimal irrigation. Monitoring has shown Montes winemakers that less irrigation results in lower yields of much higher quality grapes.

During the 2013-2014 season, Montes was able to reduce water usage in its vineyards by 65%, an applause-worthy feat.

This week, I was invited to participate in a virtual tasting of three Montes Alpha wines with Montes Chief Winemaker Aurelio Montes. Here are my tasting notes (all three wines are in the $15 range):

Montes 2012 Alpha Carmenère

I sampled the 2012 Montes Alpha Carmenère after decanting for about an hour. Bright red in the glass. Raspberry nose with peppery notes. In the mouth, it’s silky in texture with ripe berry flavors and chocolate undertones.

Montes 2012 Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep ruby in the glass, the 2012 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon offers blackberry aromas with notes of mocha and leather. In the mouth, this full-bodied Cab is big on dark fruit and ripe raspberries with a nice touch of oak from having spent 12 months in French oak barrels.

Montes 2012 Alpha Syrah

This Syrah is blended with 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Viognier. Inky red in the glass, the 2012 Montes Alpha Syrah offers big fruity/floral aromas with earthy, chocolate notes. Straight out of the glass, it’s bold and full-bodied but an hour of decanting produced a silky texture with plummy/dark fruit flavors and a long, smooth finish.

Over the decades since it was founded, Montes Winery has played a crucial role in enhancing awareness of quality Chilean wines and for raising the bar with regards to premium wines of the region.

Cheers,

Veronique