Montes Estate Purple Angel

Description

Intense carmine red in color with tremendous aromatic potency. Complex and bursting with character. Ripe red and black fruits such as plums, blackberries, strawberries, and cherries predominate on the nose, complemented by aromas of pastries and nutmeg with a touch of cinnamon and jam. The contribution of French oak is distinguished by a delicate aroma of caffe latte, toffee, and caramel followed by notes of toast from the first-use oak. The palate is nicely balanced with very well-rounded tannins and an outstanding central nerve from the Petit Verdot. This is a creamy wine with a sensation of flavors that echo its aromas and lead to a long and seductive finish.Harvest ReportThe weather during the 20112012 growing period presented very well-defined seasons.Rainfall was concentrated during the winter months, and the spring was frost free, which was perfect for optimal foliage growth and bunch definition. The summer was dry and did not have the cold days of the previous season, making it ideal for ripening the bunches. An unusual heavy rainfall in December did not affect the quality of the fruit, although it did set veraison back slightly. The rest of the summer was rain-free, although temperatures were unusually high, with maximum temperatures in February and March that accelerated the onset of harvest for the earlier varieties. The grapes reached the cellar in very healthy condition with normal-weight bunches, small berries, and with a wealth of anthocyanins and ripe tannins that are ideal for our Carmenere.Vineyards The grapes destined for our Purple Angel come from vineyards in Marchigue and Apalta in the Colchagua Valley. The soils are of granitic origin with variations in terms of clay content, organic matter, depth, and especially in the types of rock found, which are of fluvial or glacial origin, which provides an idea of the diversity of soils in our vineyards.Apaltas soils are very heterogeneous, with zones that are highly influenced by the Tinguiririca River and others influenced by floods and the detachment of material from high in the mountains that delineate the valley. The soils are generally deep in the lowlands and shallower at the foot of the mountains and higher areas. In the case of the Carmenere, the vineyards are preferably located in the flat zones, where the soil is deeper and has moderate moisture retention.Marchigue has flatter areas and low-to-moderate hills. The soils are shallow, and in some cases no more than 60 mm 24 in, with medium clay content and a high capacity for water retention. The vineyards are located in the flat areas.The vineyards are located in the zones with lower slopes, planted at a density of 5,555 plants/hectare 2,250 plants/ acre, and managed in a double guyot system with the aim of producing yields of approximately 3.54.0 tons/hectare 1.41.6 tons/acre. The leaves closest to the bunches are severely pulled in early January to fully expose the grapes for even ripening and, more importantly, to reduce the amount of pyrazines that are characteristic of the variety.Clone Selection Clones developed by the Catholic University of ChileOak Aging 100% of the components of this wine were aged for 24 months in new French oak barrels.Filtering Average filtration through micropore filters.Aging Recommendations Store in a cool, dry, dark place at no more than 15 C. – Montes