Montes Alpha Series Chardonnay 2017
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James
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The intense, complex nose offers tropical fruit aromas such as pineapple, banana, and ripe mango, while pleasing notes of peaches and pears round out the fruity profile. The coastal climate is very much present in the subtle notes of grapefruit and white asparagus. Smooth attack on the palate with perfectly balanced acidity, resulting in a very fresh wine that also has generous volume. This Alpha Chardonnay ends with a long and elegant finish that invites another glass.
Pairs well with white meat, seafood, salads, fish and sushi.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is delicious chardonnay, as always, with sliced cooked apple, lemon curd and hints of vanilla. Medium to full body, praline and cookie undertones and a flavorful finish. A bargain for such a high-level chard.
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Tasting Panel
A long, tangy expression from a top Chilean producer. Soft vanilla nose; smooth and well-balanced with tropical fruit and an alluring oak component.
Other Vintages
2022-
James
Suckling
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James
Suckling - Vinous
- Vinous
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James
Suckling
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James
Suckling -
Tasting
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James
Suckling
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James
Suckling
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James
Suckling
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James
Suckling
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Wine
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast
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Robert
Parker
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Wine
Spectator -
Robert
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Wine
Enthusiast
With the release of the first Montes Alpha wine back in 1988, Montes became one of the first premium wineries of Chile. Their premise, a clear belief that Chile had an untapped potential as a producer of quality wines, made them a benchmark for other wineries to follow. Its original four partners' total involvement and the continuous help of the angels that decorate their labels was key to their success. Two decades later, Montes is the fifth most important winery of Chile where Aurelio Montes continues leading the winemaking area with the same passion as the first day. Hard work and total focus on quality has led Montes to be one of the most successful and respected quality-driven wineries in Chile as they continue pioneering and breaking new grounds in wine.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A region that has become synonymous with some of the best whites of Chile, the Casablanca Valley is full of dozens of bodegas who either grow fruit here or come from outside to source from local growers for their own white wine programs. The valley runs from east to west, which means that its westernmost vineyards receive the most cooling influence from the reliable afternoon sea breezes. The soils also tend to be heavier in clay in the west, whereas the eastern end of the valley is warmer and its soils are predominantly granitic. Sauvignon blanc thrives here, Chardonnay does well and Pinot noir is not uncommon.