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17/20
Purple Angel by Montes 2003
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileI think most would agree that the Montes Purple Angel 2003, a mix of 92 per cent carmenère and 8 per cent petit verdot, has been well worth the wait. In the end Montes chose to blend of carmenère fruit that originates half from the home Apalta Estate and half from the exciting new plantings due west near the coast in a region called Marchigue. Montes says carmenère is a tricky variety. With its naturally low acidity and need to ripen very late if you wait to long it can be flabby but if you pick to soon it's too peppery and herbaceous. It would explain his decision to blend cooler Marchigue fruit to improve the structure and acidity of the super ripe mountain fruit of Apalta. The nose is an enticing mix of cherry vanilla aromas and savoury carmenère notes. Montes known for using French oak employs 50 per cent American wood with the carmenère because he thought the wine was sturdy enough and spicy enough to stand up to the powerful American oak. The wine itself is luxurious red with silky smooth textures and plenty of spicy, chocolate, black fruit and tobacco notes. Its suggested retail price is the US is $48. It is expected to appear in limited quantities in Canada before Christmas.Tasted: 03 May 2005Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:| US | $48.00 | 750ml | Suggested Retail |
Grape: Carménère
