Country: Chile  Region: Colchagua Valley  Vintage: 2020 Category: Red Wine  Colour: Red   Producer: Montes These wines are classic examples of matching the variety or blend to an area. The grape growers and winemakers are given 'carte blanche' to take outstanding fruit and come up with some wholly individual wines that are perfect expressions of their site. The Sauvignon Blanc, unoaked and pungent yet minerally, is from the Leyda Valley, a fantastic region for this variety owing its proximity to the sea moderating the climate. The Pinot Noir, scented and delicate, is from the Casablanca Valley, which is similarly cool. The long growing season gives wonderful tannins and an alluring perfume. The Colchagua Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere is from a warmer climate, several hours south of Santiago and inland. The warmth ensures ripe grapes and a wonderfully meshed fruit. Winemaker: Aurelio Montes Baseden Vineyards: All grapes come from Apalta in Colchagua Valley, arguably one of the finest sites for red wine grape growing in Chile. Vines are planted on 45° slopes providing good exposure which helps in achieving ripeness. As with other regions in Chile, the ocean plays a role even at 60km away, with cool breezes moderating this warm area. Low night-time temperatures further prolong ripening, allowing for the slow development and retention of varietal aromas and acidity. Vinification: The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes come from the Finca de Apalta and El Arcángel de Marchigüe vineyards in the Colchagua Valley, an area renowned for making excellent red wines. The soils are predominantly granite, with the sloping vines of Apalta characterised by its alluvial influences. The moderating breezes from the ocean help to slow ripening, allowing the vines to achieve excellent physiological ripeness. Cool nights help retain acidity giving freshness to the wines. The grapes were cold soaked at 10°C for three days to extract aroma and colour. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks for 12 days and then kept on skins to give structure and colour. After malolactic conversion, 45% of the final blend was aged in new French oak barrels for eight months to add complexity and roundness to the wine. Tasting Notes: Deep carmine-red in colour. On the nose, there are intense aromas of fresh red fruit and sweet spices. There is a hint of fresh tobacco and toast from the time spent in oak. This wine is medium bodied with well-balanced acidity and smooth tannins that linger on the finish. Food Suggestion: Pair with Mongolian beef, pork ribs, meaty spaghetti, lamb stew or risotto. Closure: Natural Cork  ABV: 13.5%  Acidity [g/l]: 5.3