Montes

The roots of Viña Montes began in 1987, when two experienced wine industry professionals, Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray, joined forces. But it wasn’t until 1988 that Viña Montes was officially born—when two additional partners, Alfredo Vidaurre and Pedro Grand, joined the project. Today, Viña Montes exports its products more than 75 countries in 5 continents. Montes’s portfolio consists of wines from various price points, ranging from the value-driven Montes Classic series to its top-shelf reds, such as Montes M, Folly and Purple Angel. The dominant varietals used in production are Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Syrah, with other Bordeaux varietals filling out many of the blends. Our Viña Montes reviews also show that the winery’s Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are gaining recognition for the value the wines provide. For more information on these wines, be sure to check out our Viña Montes Buying Guide.

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Montes 2007 Limited Selection Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $16

A little angular on the nose, but there’s no question about its identity. This wine smells and tastes like true Pinot Noir; it’s ripe and has nice flow, with flavors of red plum, spiced black cherry and peppercorn. Is it Burgundy, Oregon or anything like that? Maybe a little, but for the most part it has a pure Chilean DNA and a fair selling price. — M.S. (5/1/2009)

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Montes 2010 Alpha Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley)

Price $22

Snappy red-berry aromas are true to the variety, but there’s also a leathery, roasted stalkiness to the nose. It feels round, chunky and creamy, with baked berry and toasted flavors. It finishes round, full and creamy in feel, with a peppery note. — M.S. (9/1/2012)

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Montes 2009 Cherub Rose of Syrah Rosé (Colchagua Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $20

Magenta in color and spritzy, with aromas of chunky red plum, cherry and citrus. There’s nothing off or stinky here, but for some reason it seems a little heavier and less precise than it has been. Look for pink grapefruit, brine and berry flavors and then a long, almost hot finish. — M.S. (9/1/2010)

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Montes 2011 Twins Red (Colchagua Valley)

Price $15

This new 50-50 blend of Malbec and Cabernet is dark and oaky, with rubbery aromas blended with ripe berry, carob and lactic scents. The palate is forward in feel, with driving tannins and oaky flavors of blackberry and chocolate. There’s a lot of power and fruit to this wine, but also a lot of oak. — M.S. (6/1/2013)

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Montes 2001 Oak Aged - Reserve Malbec (Colchagua Valley)

Best Buy

Price $10

Simple and clean up front, with inviting aromas. The mouth on this wine is broad and satisfying, and the flavors of plum, blackberry, black olive and buttery oak work in tandem. The finish is a bit aggressive, and here the oak is powerful as it leaves a bitter lasting sensation. But overall the wine impresses for its solidity and full fruit. — M.S. (7/1/2003)

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Montes 2000 Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon (Curicó Valley)

Price $20

Big and ripe, with cola, root beer and berry aromas along with rich oak. The palate is a high-wire act of bright red fruit combined with thick milk chocolate and malt. The tannins and acidity allow the wine to be aggressive, maybe too much so given that the fruit is somewhat tart and prickly. — M.S. (7/1/2003)

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Montes 2001 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Curicó Valley)

Best Buy

Price $10

Spicy and woody, with a pungency on the nose. The round palate is full of red-berry fruit and a fair amount of supporting oak. That wood is confirmed on the finish, where things turn a bit buttery and rich. Fortunately some lively tannins and cleansing acids keep things from getting bogged down. A good everyday Cab. Best Buy. — M.S. (7/1/2003)

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Montes 2002 Reserve - Special Cuvee Merlot (Colchagua Valley)

Best Buy

Price $10

A bit earthy in color; it’s not your average bright ruby. The nose is more refined and condensed than one might expect, with subdued scents of raspberry, plum and cola. Suave in terms of texture, and long on the finish. — M.S. (3/1/2004)

Most Reviewed Designations

Alpha Alpha M Cherub Rosé of Cherub Rose of Syrah Classic Series Folly Late Harvest Limited Selection Limited Selection Leyda Vineyard Purple Angel Reserve

Most Reviewed Varietals

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère Carmenère Chardonnay Gewürztraminer Malbec Merlot Pinot Noir Rosé Sauvignon Blanc Syrah

2007 Trump Brut SP Reserve

Rich and luscious scents of baked apple, dried pineapple, honeyed…

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