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Liquor Barn’s Guide to the Good Life!
Volume 17, Issue 8 June Edition, 2008
Montes Alpha Chardonnay
& Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Chile
$19.99 per 750ml $113.94 /6pack $227.89 /case
Like Paris' Eifel Tower and Pisa's Leaning Tower, a photo with
Montes Winery's vintage Red Truck is de riguer when visiting Chile.
Donna Gilmer and Sheila Ferrell of Liquor Barn flank Bill Preston of Shoppers Village Liquor, at Montes Winery in Chile.
Matt King’s Dream Truck!
The Alpha wines from Montes are regularly $21.99 per 750 ml. As our featured Wines of the Month, you can try them for $19.99 per 750 ml, a savings of $2.00 per bottle!
Patrick Wesolosky
Bob Booth
Aurelio Montes, Sr. is considered by many to be the best winemaker in Chile.
Numerous members of the Liquor Barn wine team who have traveled extensively
to wineries in South America believe within the next 5 years, Aurelio will
be recognized as one of the top five winemakers in the world.
His ability to fashion value-conscious wines across many varietals, regions
and price tiers is nothing less than amazing, especially when considering
the lengths Montes has gone to. Years of trudging through overlooked or forgotten
vineyard sites to find Chile’s finest soils, planting grapevines up
the highest and steepest slopes of the Andes Mountains, biodynamic farming
and organic methods in the vineyards, rigorous crop thinning and grape selection.
And, to top things off, Montes’ newest winery site in Apalta was constructed
and is operated totally within the concepts of Feng Shui, with earth, air,
water and wood positioned to provide the greatest possible expression of Mother
Nature’s gifts from the vines.
Aurelio Senior has assembled a phenomenal wine team surrounding him at Montes.
Douglas Murray is a founding partner and “Guardian of the Spirit”
at Montes. The oh-so-charming Douglas is friends with artist Ralph Stedman
and deserves the credit for having Steadman’s art on the wonderfully
whimsical label designs for the Montes Folly and the Montes Cherub lines.
Son, Aurelio Junior, a focused and intense young man, has a grasp on grape
production and wine making far beyond his age. Carlos Serrano, the handsome
Montes Export Manager, is well versed in all things Montes and has served
as the consummate host to many Liquor Barn staffers who have visited “Vina
Montes S.A” over the last several years. Of interest to many of our
fellow Kentuckians, Carlos is also a superb horseman! We think Carlos may
have a trip to Kentucky in his future travel plans. We’ll keep you apprised!
The 2005 Montes Alpha Chardonnay is yellow gold and opens with a medium weight
bouquet of buttered greens and tart citrus aromas, with a distinct lime note
that soon gives way to vanilla that is almost creamy. Soft and full on the
palate, it possesses a lightly creamy mouthfeel and tasty citrus fruit flavors.
Light oak notes emerge toward the finish, which is long and echoes the creamy
aspect that seems prevalent throughout.
Voices of Wine rating: 90 points.
The bouquet is just wonderful in the 2005 Montes Alpha Cabernet, slowly unfolding
with subtle richness, revealing ripe red cherry, blackberry liqueur, vanilla
and light oak spice. It is medium full and plenty dry, but the tannins are
smooth and the palate is all rich red cherry flavors with a hint of cassis.
Good balance and structure and a long finish complete yet another beautifully
made wine from Aurelio.
Voices of Wine rating: 90 points.
The Alpha wines from Montes are regularly $21.99 per 750 ml. As our featured
Wines of the Month, you can try them for $19.99
per 750 ml, a savings of $2.00 per bottle!
