[Chile] Montes Alpha Pinot Noir Aconcagua Valley 2012

This time, I tried a Pinot Noir from Chile famous winey Montes Alpha. It was established by a Chile wine industry Celebrity Aurelio Montes and his friend Douglas Murray in 1987, both are experienced wine professional. At that time Chile red wine was cheap, tasted delicate but it was harsh and firm body. When they created this winery, both of them had a dream, wanted to produce a better quality of wine than that time. In 1988, two mores founders joined. Now, Montes Alpha has different series of wine, the price from high to low.      

Bordeaux blend type wine “Montes Alpha M”, 100% Syrah “Montes Folly”, etc. are the high-end selections, is worth to buy for any special occasion or dinner. But for daily drinking or casual dinner, I chose a lower grade series calls Montes Alpha, the price is not expensive. It’s had a variety of grapes for selection, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Carmenère, Malbec, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Montes Alpha series received “Best Value” from “Wine Spectator” magazine.  

My Taste Note: Before tasting, I Decant for 30~40 mins, the color shows ruby red with little purple. It has fragrant aromas with red fruits such as strawberry, vanilla and oak. The palate is medium body, pleasant acid and it is between dry to medium dry. Overall, this wine is balance and fruity, can taste full of fresh and sweet cherry flavor. 

這次我試了一枝來自智利Montes Alpha的Pinot Noir紅酒. Montes Alpha是一間非常出名的酒莊,在香港很容易可以買到.酒莊在1987年由一位葡萄酒界名人 Aurelio Montes 和他的朋友Douglas Murray創立,他們兩位都是有經驗的葡萄酒專業人士.哪個時候智利出產的紅酒是比較便宜,味道方面是可口但單寧較較厚身,有點粗糙粗和苦澀.當年他們有一個共同的夢想,就是釀造一些比當時質素更好的葡萄酒.在1988年有多兩位創辦人加入.現在Montes Alpha釀製多個系列的葡萄酒,價錢由貴價到廉價到有.

主要以Bordeaux葡萄品種混釀的“Montes Alpha M”, 100% Syrah 的“Montes Folly”,等等是它們的高級葡萄酒系列,價錢都比較高.如果在特別日子或晚餐,是值得買來享用.如果日常飲用或比較簡單的晚餐,我會選擇它們一個系列叫做 系列 Montes Alpha,這是一般級數的系列價錢比較平易近人.這個系列有以下多款葡萄選擇,Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Carmenère, Malbec, Pinot Noir和Chardonnay. Montes Alpha系列在葡萄酒雜誌Wine Spectator獲得“Best Value”評語.

我的品酒筆記: 在飲之前,紅酒Decant 30~40分鐘,顏色帶有紅寶石色和少少紫色. 這款酒有芬芳香氣,包括有紅色水果,士多啤梨,香草和橡木香.口感較甜,中等酒體,酸度不是很高飲落,感到舒服.它的甜度很明顯,大約在Dry ~ Medium Dry之間.整體這款酒是Balance和Fruity,是一款比較甜的Pinot Noir,可以飲到新鮮和甜美的車厘子味道.