MONTES Limited Selection
Sauvignon Blanc 2018
100% Sauvignon Blanc
RSD 1,725
AWARDS
91 Points - James Suckling (for 2018 Vintage)
Commended - Decanter World Wine Awards, 2012
Silver Medal - TEXSOM International Wine Awards, 2009
Gold Medal - Indy International Wine Competition, 2006
VINEYARDS
The vineyards are located in the Leyda Valley, approximately 15 km from the Pacific coast on moderately sloping hillsides with granitic soils and a predominance of clay. The vines are planted to a density of 5,555 plants per hectare and trained to vertical shoot position. Pruning is aimed at achieving low yields (up to 7,000 kg/ha) to allow the grapes to ripen a little earlier. The canopies of the vines are kept intact until harvest to preserve a very good level of bunch coverage, which enable the fruit to reach harvest with a very good level of aromas in the skins.
VINIFICATION
The grapes are picked during the night and transported to the winery in refrigerated trucks. This method takes advantage of the naturally low nighttime temperatures and helps protect the grapes against oxidation. In the winery, the bunches are destemmed, the individual berries are sorted, and the selected fruit is deposited into stainless steel tanks for a cold maceration (< 10ºC/50ºF) for at least 10 hours to ensure good extraction of the aromatic components in the skins. The juice is then separated from its skins and transferred to a static decantation tank, where it remained 12–24 hours prior to racking off the larger solids. The clean juice is then co-inoculated with two types of yeast, Metschnikowia pulcherrima and Saccharomyces cereviciae to increase the liberation and production of the terpenes and volatile thiols for higher aromatic potentials and more generous palates. Alcoholic fermentation lasts approximately 21 days at 11º–12ºC, which conditions the velocity of the tightly controlled fermentation kinetics. Once fermentation is complete, the new wine is sulphited and separated from the smaller solids. The wine has no contact with oak at any time. Preparing the wine for bottling begins with protein stabilization through the use of small doses of bentonite and cold stabilizing to prevent the excessive precipitation of tartaric crystals. The final step is to use sterile membrane filters to ensure a long and healthy life in the bottle.
TASTING NOTES
Crystalline light greenish-yellow in color. The very expressive nose shows great typicity with fresh aromas of tropical fruits such as passion fruit and guavas. Citrus notes of grapefruit and limes appear on the backdrop over subtle notes of green chilies. The smooth palate offers the rich natural fresh and juicy acidity characteristic of the coastal zone. It has medium volume and subtle sweet sensations that lend an elegant, prolonged finish very much in line with the aromas perceived on the nose.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: Leyda Valley, Chile
Alcohol: 13.5%
Acidity: 3.87 g/l
pH: 3.16
Residual Sugar: 2.63 g/l
MONTES Limited Selection
Cabernet - Carmenère 2017
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carmenère
RSD 1,775
AWARDS
92 Points - JamesSuckling.com (for 2017 Vintage)
Gold Medal - TEXSOM International Wine Awards, 2009
Bronze Medal - Indy International Wine Competition, 2006
Silver Medal - Indy International Wine Competition, 2005
VINEYARD
The vineyards that give rise to our Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon- Carmenère are located in two very representative wine regions in the Colchagua Valley, Apalta and Marchigüe. Apalta is very heterogeneous, with some zones that are very much affected by the Tinguiririca River and others influenced by alluvions and material that breaks off from high above in the mountains. The soils tend to be deep on the plain and shallower at the foot of the mountain and higher areas. The Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are planted at the foot of the mountain with slopes that are not very steep but that do have shallow soils with highly variable textures. The Carmenère vineyards are best suited to the flatter areas, where the soils are deeper and have moderate moisture retention. Marchigüe has flatter lands and low hills with moderate slopes. The soils are rather shallow, and in some cases are no more than 60 cm deep with moderate clay content and a high capacity for water retention. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère vineyards are located in flat areas with no slopes whatsoever. Our vineyards are planted with a density of 5,555 plants/hectare (2,250 pl/acre) and are double guyot managed for yields of approximately 9,000 kg/hectare (3.6 ton/acre). The Carmenère leaves closest to the clusters were severely pulled in early January to leave the grapes completely exposed to the sun to ensure even ripening and good parameters of acidity and phenolic potential.
VINIFICATION
47% of the wine was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels.
TASTING NOTES
A bright and intense purplish-ruby red colour with an expressive, perfumed nose which offers fresh aromas of red and black fruits, along with spicy notes of red peppers and nutmeg leading to tobacco, dark chocolate, and coffee. Very well balanced on the palate, with rich acidity that turns fresh and juicy. The tannins are perfectly rounded and lend structure and volume. A sweet sensation increases toward the mid-palate, which lends way to a long finish that is very much in accordance with the nose.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile
Alcohol: 14.0%
Acidity: 3.19 g/l
pH: 3.66
Residual Sugar: 3.33 g/l