Montes does Napa
By Marisa D'Vari | September 17th, 2007 | Category: News | 1 Comment »... so I'm sure you've enjoyed wines from Chile. Here's a short quiz:
1) What is the up and coming grape of Chile?
2) What weather phenomenon is responsible for great wine?
3) What Chilean producer is increasingly winning lots of awards?
Because many of the wineries were started by wealthy Chileans in the last century who looked to France as a source of culture, many of the wines produced in the region are Bordeaux style blends. However, Carmenere is becoming quite the hip grape. Producer Monte Premium Wines grows it in their two new vineyards in Cochagua, each dramatically different in terms of soil and elevation and proximity to the ocean in Colchagua, Apalta and Marchigue. And the Humboldt Current is the phenomenon that swings cold air from the Antarctic to cool the ocean and provide conditions conducive to quality grapes. Montes Premium Wines,
which makes wine in Chile, Argentina, and Napa, came to NYC to showcase the wines they make in all three areas.
Today,
Aurelio Montes, an owner of Montes Premium Wines, was on hand to give a tutored tasting of the wines along with his son (sharing the same name).
NY's top wine journalists were present, including David Rosengarten and Baroness Sheri de Borchgrave (pictured here) to get an insider's look at how the grape growing and wine making process in each of the regions.
We tasted barrel samples of Carmenere from Montes' two estates in Chile (surprising differences due to elevation, climate, proximity to sea, soil), Malbec from Argentina (ditto), and their new Bordeaux style wine from the new vineyards in Napa. I personally loved the 2005 Montes from Napa, which has the kind of fruit and structure that can see it age for another ten years.
Mr. Montes is charming and passionate about his wine, and through the miracle of modern technology, you can hear him speak about it here in this online tasting seminar (quick registration required). You will hear all about the soil and climate and see gorgeous pictures of his properties in Chile, and also have the opportunity to taste along with him.
Do you like Carmenere? Have you tried Montes'? FYI, Carmenere is considered by some to be the next Pinot Noir ... check out this thread about Montes' Carmenere on the Wine Spectator Forums.
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I think Montes makes some of the most beautifully constructed, attractively priced, and reliably delicious wines from Chile today. Love their tasty wine! Thanks for the interesting links.