Merlot Colchagua 2021 – Montes Alpha

The grapes to produce the Merlot Colchagua Montes Alpha were cold soaked at 10°C for seven days to extract aroma and colour before fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for 8-10 days. The must then remained on skins for a further 15-20 days to aid structure and colour. After malolactic conversion, 55% of the final blend was aged in French oak barrels (25% new, the rest second and third fill) for 12 months to add complexity and roundness to the wine.

The vineyards that produce the grapes for the Alpha Merlot are located in the Colchagua Valley, primarily in the El Arcángel de Marchigüe vineyards. The soils are of granitic origin at different levels of decomposition with variable amounts of clay and organic matter.The Merlot vineyards are double Guyot managed for yields of approximately 7,000 kg per hectare.

Montes was established in 1988 by Aurelio Montes, Douglas Murray, Alfredo Vidaurre and Pedro Grand, with the aim of producing the best wines in Chile from the best regions. The Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon, first produced in 1987, broke the mould for premium wines in Chile. Since then, Alpha has developed to become the core range in the Montes portfolio. The grapes and sites are carefully selected in order to ensure varietal integrity and complexity. Viticulture is hands on rather than mechanical or industrial.