Tag: Chilean wine review

Montes Alpha Pinot Noir 2014

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Montes Alpha Pinot Noir 2014

Colour: Light ruby core

Nose: Cherry, raspberry, brine, stone, plum, underbrush.

Palate: Dry, medium bodied, medium+ acidity, medium- soft tannins. Ripe cherry, plum, raspberry, crushed stone.

Finish: Medium+ finish, mineral, faint vanilla.

Score: 78/100

Rather interesting nose to start, the usual cherry and red fruits, with a blast of salty briny character. The tannins are soft, and the acidity integrates very well with the wine. Palate is driven by ripe fruits and stone minerality, with a suggestion of vanilla in the finish. I also sensed a touch higher alcohol content in this wine from the finish.

Overall a very well made pinot noir for its price, a foot in the old world style, a small gripe with the higher alcohol content. I paired this wine with duck confit later-on, which was a wonderful pairing. Would drink now.

Estampa Gold Syrah Blend 2010

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Estampa Gold Syrah Blend 2010

A blend from Colchagua Valley, Chile. Consists of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec, from a single vineyard. Sounds pretty exciting, time to dive in.

Colour: Dark ruby-purple core, medium garnet rim.

Nose: Crème de cassis, black currant leaf, pepper, meat, liquorice, mint, black raspberry, faint cigarette smoke.

Palate: Dry, medium+ bodied, high acidity, medium tannins. Plum, black cherry, sour cherry (almost tomato like), blackcurrant, light vanilla.

Finish: Long finish, liquorice, sour cherry, oak.

Score: 80/100

Hits you in the face with an initial blastoff crème de cassis, then followed by a peppery, meaty nose, black fruits and very specifically cigarette smoke on the exhale (I am not a smoker). Surprising amount of acidity suggest this is best consumed with food. Loads of dark fruits to start, very juicy due to the acidity. Towards the end vanilla, liquorice, and oak kicked in, lingering. Paired with sousvide rack of lamb later on, wonderful pairing. A decent blend, not intrigued by its complexity, but works wonders with food. The finish lasts for minutes. Drink now or in the coming 2-3 years.