94 POINTS - Montes Wines

6
AN ANGELIC PUBLICATION, FROM CHILE WITH PRIDE
News
OUR NEW WINERY
IS ALL THE RAGE IN THE VALLEY OF APALTA
Last December Viña Montes inaugurated the
most technically advanced winery in Apalta,
Colchagua Valley. With an investment of $6.5
million and capacity for 1.5000.000 liters, this
winery represents a qualitative leap in the
production of Viña Montes‚ most acclaimed
reds. Montes Alpha, the ultrapremium
Montes Alpha M and Montes Folly, plus
the recently launched Purple Angel. This is
the most modern winery in terms of technical
equipment and design, and it is capable of
producing the best wines in Chile.
(Continued on Page 3)
February, 2004
WINE SPECTATOR, USA
94
POINTS
GREAT SCORES
Montes Alpha M 2001
Our Montes Alpha M 2001 has attained the
extraordinary score of 94 points in Wine
Spectator magazine, plus a “Highly
Recommended” accolade from that same
source. It reads: “Cut like a fine suit, the
blackcurrant, black cherry and blackberry fruit
drapes the palate, while an impressive array of
espresso, mineral, sanguine, fig and black tea
notes are stitched seamlessly together.
Long, detailed finish. A graceful rendition
that is approachable now, but should age
beautifully. (JM).”
Last December, Montes Folly 2002 got 91
Points from Wine Spectator: “Impressive
depth and concentration for an ‘02, with a
dense core of blackcurrant, black cherry and
blackberry followed by licorice, spice and loam
notes. There’s also a wall of toast around it all,
which may be a bit too much for the fruit to
overcome in the long run. An admirable
effort, nonetheless. Syrah. (JM)”.
1
COLCHAGUA VALLEY
OUR NEW WINERY
INAUGURATION
IN APALTA
DECEMBER 2004
2
3
4
6
7
5
8
10
9
1. Alex Guarachi (TGIC, USA).
2. Jürg Reinger, (Haecky Drinks, Switzerland).
3. Special friends from around the world.
4. Johnny Chan (China).
5. Douglas Murray, Anna and Ralph Steadman.
6. Inauguration.
7. Marsha J. Palanci (Cornerstone, USA).
8. Mr. and Mrs. Ciro de Campos Lilla (Mistral, Brazil) and
Sonia Montanares.
9. Börkür Arnason (Iceland).
10. Dmitry Pinsky and Igor Davtian (DP Trade, Russia).
(Continued from Page 1)
In Spanish, the term “bodega” is generally
associated with a place where one stores and
keeps products. But in the case of a winery,
bodega is equated to the making of wine.
That is to say where one makes and stores
wine. As Executive Director Alfredo Vidaurre
explains, “to make good wines, you need to
have good bodegas”. With that in mind, just
over a year ago, we began the construction of
our new bodega on the Apalta property. A
cross-cultural team effort with the South
African firm named Technique Trading,
responsible for the conceptual engineering,
the local Poch Asociados carrying out the basic
engineering, Chilean architect Samuel Claro,
of the studio “Claro y Swinburn”, which has
ample experience in designing and
remodelling wineries, executing the design,
and landscape architect Adriana Edwards
taking care of the exterior, which includes a
lagoon, parks and gardens.
FROM NEWTON TO
FENG SHUI
Not to be overlooked, however, was the
contribution of our partners here at Viña
Montes: Winemaker Aurelio Montes,
responsible for all technical aspects of the new
winery, visited twenty of the best wineries in
California’s Napa Valley and toured Australia,
the land of grand avances in the industry.
Alfredo Vidaurre, for his part, coordinated the
interior design with designer Paula Gutiérrez.
Douglas Murray, who manages international
sales at the winery, collaborated with Feng
Shui expert Silvia Galleguillos to assure that all
the basic elements –water, air, metal, wood,
etc.– were incorporated into the design and
position in adherence to the Asian discipline to
encourage harmony and a positive
atmosphere.
February 2, 2005
WINE SPECTATOR
Before construction began, the team gathered
at the site, poured wine into ceremonial
decanters, rang bells and prayed for success.
The wine was then poured onto the ground
“to enhance the soil’s fertility by making the
earth happy”, says Silvia Galleguillos, the local
Feng Shui expert hired by Montes. To optimize
positive energy, pools of water at the entrance
flow into the heart of the winery (“to bring
prosperity into it”), where a fountain stands
beneath a circular skylight, connecting it to
the cycles of heaven.
There are many factors that influence the
quality of wine, but as a general rule, the less
it is filtered, moved, pressed and pumped,
the better. This is why the winery is
equipped with Bücher-Vaslin presses that,
while being of the latest generation, still
incorporate techniques used in 19th. century
wine-making. The two main advances in this
new equipment –the container that holds the
grapes, which traditionally was made of wood
is now stainless steel and oxigen-free– and the
lever, which before was manually operated, is
now managed by computer. But, according to
Vidaurre, more significant is the winery’s nod
to Newton’s Law and its gravitational-flow
system. At Viña Montes, the grapes are
picked and gathered in small 15 kgs bins
so as to minimize fruit breakage
and oxidation. Then the small bins are
carefully stacked on a forklift, which lifts
the fruit to the winery’s eight-meter-high
concrete roof.
From here begins the manual selection of
the bunches, then de-stemming, then
berry selection, also by hand. After this, a
special machine gently smashes the fruit.
From the roof, the juice and pulp fall –the
gravity effect– through the ducts
directly into stainless steel
fermentation tanks. These tanks
hold between 3.000 and 15.000
liters and are equipped, within
their double panelled surfaces,
with sophisticated temperaturecontrol mechanisms. This
computerized cooling and
heating system assures proper
fermentation because wine
requires cold temperatures to
prevent overheating, but also, on
occasions, –such as when the harvest comes
late in the fall– wine needs a little heat to
begin fermentation.
ELEVATOR SYSTEM AND
FRENCH OAK CASKS
Another element that Montes incorporated in
his effort to produce the best possible wine is
a unique elevator that contains a stainless
steel holding tank. This system allows for the
wine to be transferred throughout the winery
without any type of pump, but simply the
raising and lowering of a tank-elevator.
The winery includes ten fermentation casks
made of French oak, nine of which were
brought directly from France, one made in
Chile by Tonelería Nacional of imported French
oak. Each cask has a capacity for 10.000 liters
and a cooling system consisting of coils and a
circulating refrigerant liquid. In the
architectural design an impressive room with
800 casks of French oak, all new and arranged
in a hemicycle, stands out, recalling a theatre
stage where Montes’ finest wines rest to age.
An overwhelming silence invades the room,
filling it with peace and quiet. We believe this
must be Montes’ angels favourite hide-out.
Mónica Díaz, Aurelio Montes, Katia Malmio (Vinetum,
our importer in Finland), Luis Ignacio González Serrano
(Chilean Ambassador), Bernardita del Campo de Montes.
THE “ORDER OF THE ANGEL”
HAS BEEN CREATED
Our angels keep us company, being ever
present in our lives. This is why we have
created the “Order of the Angel” to honour
them, and to which all those who have played
an important part in the history of Montes,
contributing to the achievement of our
present identity, with affection, cheerfulness,
patience and dedication, belong. Without
them, this dream-come-true would
not have been achieved. To all of them our
endless gratitude.
Aurelio Montes, Pierre Beuchet (DIVA, France), Douglas
Murray and Alfredo Vidaurre.
THE WINE NEWS, USA, Aug-Sep 2004
96 POINTS
MONTES FOLLY DOES IT
AGAIN !
Publisher’s Pick: MONTES FOLLY 2002
This has been the highest score given thus far
to a Chilean wine in a specialized USA
magazine. Here follow the written comments:
“Of the three Folly Syrah releases, the 2002 is
the friendliest in its youth. Beautiful hue,
purple to the rim. Uplifting aromas of plum,
blueberry, charred oak and minerals. A tasty,
expressive wine, loaded with juicy black fruit
and well integrated tannins that power up
in the finish and flex their muscle. This
small-production Syrah is worth the
search. 700 cases / $80.”
WORLD WINERY
OF THE YEAR
2004 IN FINLAND
WINE REPORT 2004-2005, UK
Alex Guarachi (TGIC, USA) and Douglas Murray.
NEW WORLD WINE TASTING
IN HOLLAND
During the last “New World Tasting” that
took place in Amsterdam, Holland, in May
2004, two of Montes’ wines were given first
and second place in this important contest,
within the 8 Euro price category. We proudly
claimed the distinctions through Verbunt, our
Dutch importers. Number 1 was given to
Montes Chardonnay and Number 2 to
Montes Merlot. That’s great news from
Dutch consumers !
By Tom Stevenson
This important publication has its own team of
specialised regional writers who evaluate the
world’s best wines. Christopher Fielden, the
magazine‚s distinguished expert, in his section
on wines from Chile and Argentina, concedes
a clamorous first place amongst the Wines
of Greater Quality to our Montes Alpha M
2000 from the valley of Colchagua (CLP
$45.000), first place also goes to Montes,
for their quality as most outstanding
“Producer of
Great Wines”,
and he points
out our Montes
Merlot
as
among the best
wines of regular
price. What more
could
we
possibly ask for ?
We are very proud of sharing with you the
news that the prestigious Finnish magazine,
Gloria Wine and Food has chosen Montes
as the Year’s World Winery (the previous
winner had been the renowned ANTINORI, of
Italy). The prize, awarded for our trajectory as
well as for the quality of all our Montes and
Montes Alpha wines, was granted during a
gala of the Cuisine & Vin Organisation, in
October last year, at Helsinki’s Kalastajatorppa
Hilton Hotel, a gathering duly attended by
Aurelio and Douglas, happy recipients of such
a worthy prize. Thanks to our friends in
Finland! This strongly motivates us to stick to
the path we traced, producing wines of everincreasing quality.
OUR ICONS IN BANFF, CANADA
With magnificent attendance and in the
company of Canada’s most important wine
writers, a most successful vertical wine tasting
of Montes Alpha M and Montes Folly took
place in October 2004, in Banff, Alberta, in
the presence of Aurelio Montes. It was a great
honour to have been invited to attend this
prestigious and restricted event at The
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (participation is
solely through invitation).
Donald House, William Bincoletto, Aurelio Montes, David
Lawrason and Anthony Gismondi.
from that, our “local” Business School at the
Adolfo Ibáñez University, has developed a
“case” around Viña Montes, now a subject of
study for post-degree pupils of that university.
And, not to put too fine a point on it,
Douglas and Aurelio have been appointed
patrons or mentors of the WINE M.B.A.
(Wine Master of Business Administration)
programme at the University of Bordeaux,
in France (Bordeaux Business School). The
previous patrons had been Robert Mondavi
and Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, so it is
obvious that they share good company!
The WINE M.B.A. programme is presented
conjointly by the universities of Bordeaux
(France), U.C. Davis (California, US), South
Australia Adelaide (Australia), and the
Catholic University of Santiago (Chile).
Thus, this stands for massive recognition at
the highest level of the important contribution
of Viña Montes to the cause of Chilean wine
and to their progress in the obtention of
superior quality wines. Congratulations,
Douglas and Aurelio!
ACADEMICAL MONTES
By Alfredo Vidaurre, 26th. July, 2004
Through the last few years Viña Montes has
become a subject of study owing to its
enormous success as an unrivalled winery in
Chile’s viticultural world. It is within this trend
that our Douglas Murray was invited to take
part as exponent in the National Congress for
Innovation and Technology held by ICARE last
8th July, along with speakers of the calibre of
Senator Fernando Flores, Carlota Pérez and
Sergio Melnick. In this same context, Douglas
has also been requested to write an article for
a publication the Instituto del Pacífico has
conceived on the subject of “Cases of Success
in Chile”, on the occasion of the APEC
meeting in Santiago later this year.
However, what stands out above all else is the
fact that we have now become an object of
academical research by students from the
furthest regions of the world, as well as closer
by. The “case study” of Viña Montes is
currently being investigated at the Harvard
Business School in Cambridge,
Massachussets; in the Kellog School of
Management, at the Northwestern University
in Chicago, and in the School of
Administration of Thunderbird University,
Phoenix, Arizona, all of them in the US. Apart
The Programme has given us a quota for one
of our staff, and it is with great joy that we
share with you the news that our dear Carlos
Serrano has graduated this October (2005) as
a new Wine M.B.A. with greatest distinction !!!
Douglas Murray receives the ProChile “Award for
Innovation in Exports” from the hands of Ignacio
Walker, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
PROCHILE REWARDS MONTES
Along with celebrating our 30th. year of
fruitful existence, ProChile, the governmental
agency in charge of promoting Chilean
exports, have awarded Viña Montes a
special prize in recognition of their
“innovativeness” in exporting. The
accolade was received by co-founder
and director of the winery, Douglas
Murray. On the occasion, the foresight
of the partners was highlighted,
particularly referring to their pioneering
idea of planting vineyards in uphill
slopes and hence producing premium
and super-premium wines, which have
been largely praised, not only in Chile,
but abroad. Another highlight dwelt on
the winery’s successful position abroad.
Montes now stands 5th. in the ranking of
Chilean wine exporters, with a production
in the area of 550.000 cases per year for 2005.
Douglas Murray, Alfonso Larraín, President of Viña
Concha y Toro; Jorge Rodríguez, Minister of
Economics; María Elena Ovalle, Central Bank Director,
and Ignacio Walker, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
November, 2004
ULTRA PREMIUM WINES IN
MEXICO
JACQUES’ WEIN DEPOT’S MAGAZINE,
Germany, April 2004
ALWAYS IN THE
HIGHEST PLACE
“Some times it is wise to let go of any
admiration one might have or feel for a
particular wine and its respective producer and
see what the specialised press have to say on
the matter. Leafing through plenty of material,
we did not find a single case in which the
wines of Aurelio Montes were not
considered at the pinnacle of the quality
pyramid within Chilean viticulture.
Thomas Vaterlaus wrote, for instance, in
VINUM magazine : “Aurelio Montes’ wines
classify, doubtlessly, among the very best, and
this not only holds good for his two most
expensive top wines”. Or, rather, let’s consider
the opinion of the renowned English critic,
Tom Stevenson in his Wine Report 2004:
“Viña Montes can only be found in three
categories “Best of…” : First place in the
group of Best Wine Producers; 7th. place
in Best Value Producers; and 1st. place in
the Best Wines category, convenient price
wines section”. And in Hugh Johnson’s
Wine Companion’s last edition: “Montes
shares with Casa Lapostolle the honour of
being one of the best evaluated Chilean
wine producers.”
Blind tasting number 111 of the Oenological
Group of Mexico took place in a private
room of restaurant “La Joya”, in the Marquis
Reforma Hotel, Mexico City. Wines from Chile,
Argentina, Mexico and California participated
under the name of “Ultra Premium Wines in
Mexico”. We feel very proud, for two of our
dearly loved wines were among the
contest’s five best. The first place went to
our Montes Folly, getting the highest
score of 86.86. Montes Alpha M 2000
took 5th. place, scoring 85.43. Furthermore,
the tasters described Montes Folly’s label as
the most beautiful among those
awarded! The same Oenological Group of
Mexico, in their 2003 version of the
contest, chose Montes Alpha M in the
first place, giving it 88.15 points; and
Montes Folly in 2nd. place, granting it
86.83 points. No doubt the Mexicans love
us, as we love them, and enjoy the quality
of our wines!
VIVA WINE SECTION
Top 20 Wines Under $ 20
NEW ZEALAND CHOOSES
BEST MERLOT
Our Montes Reserva Merlot 2002 was
singled out in New Zealand as Best Merlot
under NZ$ 20. “If you like dense, full-bodied,
food friendly reds and want to age something
for up to five years, buy at least half a case of
this outstanding value Chilean red. From
Glengarry and other specialist wine stores” …
“It is the second year running Montes has
made this list. Last year, the Malbec 2000 was
the Top Malbec.”
WE WERE AT THE KREMLIN…
WITH JAMES BOND
IN FRENCH POLYNESIA
We were informed at the Bora Bora Hotel
that actor Pierce Brosnan, famous for his role
as Agent 007, enjoyed 6 bottles of our
Montes Alpha M during a dinner
entertaining friends, and, needless to say,
praised them enthusiastically (August, 2004).
The interesting point is that the wines were
actually enjoyed in “real life”, not while
rehearsing a take in one of his movies…
Montes Alpha Merlot was selected as the only
red wine to be drunk at the Presidential New
Year’s Dinner in the Kremlin, in Moscow, given to
1.000 guests. An amazing opportunity and
remarkably high honour to “attend” such an
important celebration (as additional information,
Pascal Olivet Pouilly Fumé 2002 was the sole
white wine at table). This, added to the fact that
two of our Montes Reserve (Cabernet Sauvignon
and Chardonnay) have stood out in “2005
House Wine”, of the RP-Com restaurant chain,
who own six restaurants, with a further five
under contruction. We have shown our
recognition to our dear importers in Russia,
Dmitry Pinski and Igor Davtian, of DP Trade.
And, still in Moscow, our new Kaiken wine,
produced in Argentina, has made its début and
now figures in the wine list of the exclusive
Sipuli restaurant, a beautifully refined spot
just under the Orthodox Cathedral, in the
Russian capital.
…AND ALSO IN ST. PETERSBURG!
February, 2005
While still in Russia, we travelled to the
beautiful city of St. Petersburg, there to show
off our wines and the bounties of the Valley of
Apalta. Aurelio and Douglas, together
with Dmitry Pinski and Igor Davtian, both
from DP Trade, our Russian importers,
introduced to sommeliers, specialised
journalists and clients all that Montes can offer
to the alluring Russian market. We had full
house! We are grateful to DP Trade for their
fantastic organisation: Spasiba !!!
IN THE STREETS OF CHINA,
A WONDERFUL MEMORY
“AN EVENING IN CHINA’S
GREAT WALL”
Alexey Beloussov and Aurelio Montes
Aurelio Montes, Dmitry Pinski and Douglas Murray
TOWN AND COUNTRY, USA, August 2004
RED-HOT CHILE
By Ted Loos
According to this magazine, Aurelio Montes’
and his wines’ objective is to change the
perception there is of Chilean wines by
highlighting their complexity and excellent
quality… “For Montes, it’s the voluptuous
Bordeaux-style blend Montes Alpha M 2000
($72) and Montes Folly ($70), a seductive dark
horse made from Syrah, a rare grape in Chile.
Because of the superb climate in the country’s
top regions, Chile can deliver the best of all
worlds” … “We enjoy life” says Montes. “My
recipe is simple: Long vacations! When I come
late to the winery at harvest, the grapes have
gotten perfectly ripe.”
We lived a unique experience on Saturday,
20th June, 1998, in an event conceived by
Johnny Chang and organised by the Palace
Hotel of Beijing in the site of the
Great Wall, with over 90
distinguished guests invited,
comprising European and
American residents, Chinese
businessmen, and tourists; all
of whom enjoyed exquisite
cuisine accompanied by our
wines, in an impressive historical
background. The Jin Shan Ling
section of the Great Wall was
picked for its extraordinary
panoramic views and for its
vastness. The Hong Kong Wine
Club were sponsors; as were, too,
The Palace Hotel, Taittinger
Champagne, Consolidated Cigar
Group, and Montes. The menu was an
wondrous fussion of Western and
Oriental hues, all subtly encompassed
by the presence of our Montes
Chardonnay 1995 and Montes Alpha
Cabernet Sauvignon 1993. It was an
impressive event, in an impressive spot, in an
impressive country.
Owing to the constant efforts of Johnny
Chan, our importer in China, Montes publicity
grows through the streets of that country,
through high impact images, such as
the one in the photograph.
This is one of the most
important steps in the
building up of Montes’
trademark in China. Its object
is to achieve a sharp
penetration within the local
population. It is interesting to
bear in mind the increasing
interest and demand for Chilean
products perceived, as well as the growing
concern in visiting our country displayed by
Chinese nationals, both backed up by the
presentation of Chile as a secure country to
visit for tourists from the amicable Asian giant.
BUSINESS CHILE, AMCHAM CHILE, June 2004
THE MISTRAL GET-TOGETHER, Brazil, June 2004
MONTES: A PIONEER IN CHINA
A TRUE WORLD WINE
SELECTION
In the edition of the Chilean-American
Chamber of Commerce’s magazine an article
on an eventual Free Trade Agreement
between China and Chile is especially
highlighted: “Chile’s Viña Montes, a leader
producer of premium wines, has been
exporting to China for more than twelve
years. “ I was the first to sell wine from Chile
to China: That's one of the good things about
being old", laughs the company's co-founder,
Douglas Murray. In 2003 Montes sold 3.523
cases to China, worth almost US$ 200.000.
This makes it the largest exporter of bottled
Chilean wines to China; although the Chinese
market remains marginal compared to the US,
the UK or Japan, the largest wine market in
Asia. "We've put a lot more emphasis (on
China) than the figures would justify", the
winemaker says. That emphasis means careful
cultivation of contacts and awareness of the
Chinese way of doing business. Montes
recruited Johnny Chan, a local wine expert
and the first to write a book on the subject in
China, as its importer there.”
AM NEW YORK, June 2004
A SATURDAY FOR MONTES
ALPHA M
In the 16th. June 2004 edition this new New
York journal singles out our Montes Alpha M
as one of the perfect wines for a special day in
the week, specifically Saturday. So the author,
Anthony Giglio, comments in his article “The
Wine Week”, on the “Eating Well” section:
“Saturday seems to me the perfect day to
enjoy this extraordinary wine!”
FIRST PLACE GOES TO
MONTES IN CANADA
This time the news comes from the province
of New Brunswick, where our Montes Alpha
Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 got FIRST PLACE
at the World Wine Festival in New Brunswick.
We are grateful to Whitehall, our agent in
Canada, and especially to our friend Roger
Cormier (see photo), who, lovingly and
passionately sells our Montes wines. Our
gratitude forever !
HINDUSTANTIMES.COM
CHILE: THE NEW “OLD WORLD”
A great meeting of the globe’s foremost
celebrities in the world of wine was the
magnificent get-together organised by
Mistral, our exclusive importers in Brazil. The
most renowned producers from each different
country got together to exhibit their gems and
chat with the Brazilian wine fanatics. Douglas
Murray and Sonia Montanares, from Montes,
took part in the important event, naturally,
singling out the prestige Montes and Montes
Alpha wines have acquired world-wide. Wellknown and outstanding producers from
Europe, the US, South America, Australia,
New Zealand and South Africa took part in
meetings organised in Sao Paulo, Rio de
Janeiro and Brasilia, with an attendance
approaching 2.500 people, namely
professionals, journalists, restaurant owners,
sommeliers, opinion experts, serious wine
lovers and a sprinkle of Brazil’s VIP’s. We sent
our sincere congratrulations to Mistral for their
truly wonderful meeting and splendid
organisation, as well as for the quality of their
guests, through Otavio de Campos Lilla and
Ciro de Campos Lilla. A real hit by Mistral!
FROM ANCESTRAL INDIA
By Magandeep Singh, Sommelier
To this well known sommelier, Chilean
wines have been the first to destroy the
myth that French wines are the best in the
world (he himself graduated from a French
university). He bases his views in the ever
growing quality that began to show, slowly,
yet steadily, in our wines, swapping places
with their French counterparts around the
world. “My first Chilean experience was from
the house of Montes. The wines were new in
India, a good Chilean house and their wines
showcased for India, their first taste of this
South American wonder. A wine called “M”
was their top-end exploit and it had already
won international acclaim in blind-tastings,
even when pitted against some very expensive
Bordeaux château wines.”
EL CARIBE NEWSPAPER,
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, November 15, 2004
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT IN
SANTO DOMINGO
By María Esperanza Pérez
The many virtues of Montes Chilean wine
were introduced by Sonia Montanares, our
Export Manager for Latin America, during a
gathering held in the Epicuro shop, at the
third level of the Plaza Acrópolis. Addressing
those present, Sonia reflected that the reasons
that make Montes a most exceptional wine
were several; their category at a par with the
highest standards of international quality in
order to please the most demanding palates
around the world, and also to continue
ranking at top level in Chile.
DECANTER MAGAZINE, UK, July 2004
12 YEARS LATER
By Norm Roby
Norm Roby, a journalist for the prestigious
Decanter, returns after having formed his first
impression of Chile and Argentina in 1992.
During a recent trip he was most impressed
by the great quality leap affecting wines in this
part of the world : “My first impressions of
Chile and Argentina were formed in 1992.
Wines were cheap, primitive flood irrigation in
vineyards was the norm, and ill-equipped
wineries were all too common. Back then,
Viña Montes was a start-up operation” …
“Today, with annual production levelling off
at 350.000 cases, Montes is finishing a new
winery in Apalta” … “Cabernet grown in
Rapel Valley –Colchagua, Cachapoal and
Apalta– is ripe, forward in fruit, and often
round and supple. Montes led the way in this
generous, juicy style of Cabernet”.
Montes obtains its best Syrah (Montes Folly)
and Cabernet Sauvignon (Montes Alpha M)
from the steep slopes, which were planted
during the first half of the 1990’s” …
Respecting Viña Montes she singles out that
“Aurelio Montes is one of the main players in
the global world of wine, as well as a partner
in this winery. Montes started out as a small
boutique business. Turning into Chile’s most
commercially successful ones. Its Folly Syrah is
the best in the country and its ambitious
Cabernet “M” has a distinct robustness”.
GLOBAL TRAVELER, USA, February 2004
(a magazine for airlines)
THE ULTRA PREMIUM
WINES OF CHILE
By Eunice Fried
Considering Ultra Premium Chilean wines she
singles out Montes Alpha M as among the
more exceptional: “Montes Alpha M 1999
($78), an elegant, concentrated wine,
beautifully balanced, with deep fruit flavors
and a hint of chocolate in the aroma; and
Montes Alpha M 2000 ($78), an exhuberant
wine brimming with personality and varietal
character, satiny in the mouth, delicious in taste”.
Also, in June 2004 Global Traveler awarded its
first annual prizes to the best wines in airlines
world-wide to be served in executive class.
The event took place in New York, with the
attendance of the world’s most renowned
wine judges, held at the Millenium
Broadway Hotel, and our much loved
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
came among the ten best red wines.
Wonderful news, which keeps us flying high in
the world’s skies!
VINO & ESTILO, Mexico, January 2004
A WINERY THAT CONQUERS
THE WORLD
WINE INTERNATIONAL
“The Ultimate Chile Guide 2004”
CHILE FROM A TO Z
By Connie McCabe
In this special edition on Chile, under the title
“Chile from A to Z”, Connie McCabe writes
about the Valley of Apalta : “Aurelio Montes
–current winemaker and partner of Viña
Montes– was not only the first person to spot
the area’s potential at the beginning of his
career, but he was also the person who
recommended that Lapostolle use fruit
growing in old Apalta vineyards to create this
particular wine (Cuvée Alexandre)” … “Viña
By Miguel Guzmán Peredo
A brief review of the history of wine in Chile is
what the author describes in his article in this
specialized Mexican magazine: “Climatic
conditions are given in the zone of Apalta,
which, combined with the terroir, conjure up
an extremely suitable setting for the growth of
fine vineyards. The landscape that stretches
from the slopes of the property of Apalta is
full of beauty, allowing to contemplate a vast
area planted with noble vines. After a long
tasting session, the finesse of five different
wines still lingers in my memory : Montes
Alpha Merlot, Montes Alpha Cabernet
Sauvignon, Montes Alpha Syrah, Montes
Alpha M and Montes Folly.”
CHILEVINOS.COM, Chile, September 2004
FOLLY’S RIPENESS
Ana María Barahona describes our Montes
Folly 2002 as “a bolting horse, a stout, tough
youth”. Vines planted on poor, somewhat
granitic soil, of little organic matter, on steep,
sinuous slopes, give life to this Syrah, redolent
of black berries, spices, raisins; meaty. It
gradually sweetens into notes of espresso and
dark berries, with a juicy, full-bodied finish;
ending up in the Montes Folly 2002, turned
into a more elegant wine, having built up a
striking wine structure.”
GOOD NEWS FROM THE UK
THE TIMES
EVENING STANDARD
Top 100 wines for Christmas
By Jane MacQuitty
2003 Montes Cabernet-Carmenère (27th.
November 2004) : Montes is well known to
Top 100 readers, and while not every wine
from this estate is a winner, the best bottles
are first-rate. Made from 70 per cent cabernet
sauvignon and topped up with carmenère,
then finished off with American oak aging,
this delicious bottle heaves with bold, dusky,
chocolatey 14 per cent alcohol fruit. You get a
lot of wine for your money with this one. “
Wine of the Week
By Andrew Neather (December 2004)
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon: “A
powerful cabernet to stand up to even the
richest Christmas roasts. This has some of the
classic taste and complex structure of a good
Medoc, but with rich berry fruit and vanilla
tones that unmistakable signals its Chilean
origins. Nicely balanced and impressive all
round.”
THE TIMES
Jane MacQuitty’s Top 100
Montes Alpha Syrah (4th. December 2004) :
“Larger than life reds with high alcohol levels
work wonderfully well over the festivities; and
this burly, turbo-charged wine, with lots of
guts, spice and berry fruit, topped with black
pepper and chocolate, the vinous equivalent
of an ice-cream sundae, will not disappoint.
Aurelio Montes only buys top quality syrah
grapes from closely planted hillside sites, and
this Rhone-inspired bottle is a fine example of
what Chile can achieve with this grape.”
WINE ACCESS, Canada, May 2004
UP THE STEEP SLOPES
OF APALTA
By Anthony Gismondi
Six days and five nights was the time spent in
Chile by oenologue Randy Ullom, who, along
with executive director and wine writer
Anthony Gismondi, took a special trip
through various of Chile’s wine-growing
valleys. Gismondi thus comments on his visit
to Montes vineyards in Apalta: “Within
minutes we’re climbing the precarious slopes
to the top of the newest and steepest hillside
plantings I’ve encountered in South America.
Señor Randy is smiling as we peer down the
multi-faceted slopes: the exposures are
unlimited. Recently planted cabernet, syrah
and merlot cover the hillsides. My question is,
how the hell are we going to get back down?
A quick tasting of Montes wines confirms they
are already on the cutting edge of Chilean
wine, and with the steep slopes behind us
about to bear fruit, the quality quotient is
about to rise again.”
21st. December, 2004
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
Giles Kime recommends Montes Alpha
Merlot: “Bordeaux might be the traditional
choice for turkey, but the silky tannins of this
plummy Chilean red are a glorious match.”
January, 2005
OUR SAUVIGNON BLANC
FEATURES IN THE
FINANCIAL TIMES
THE INDEPENDENT, UK
(Christmas Buyers’ Guide: Great Whites)
By Anthony Rose (27th. November 2004)
“Everyday white… 2004 Montes Reserve
Sauvignon Blanc. Montes offer some of the
best value sauvignon blanc in Chile; this
pungently refreshing wine has a gooseberry
fruitiness with new vintage snap.”
In its recent seasonal wine guide, The Financial
Times' Jancis Robinson singles out two of
our much loved wines. On the white wine
category, Montes Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
2004, from the Casablanca Valley, is described
as a wine of mineral essence "Very racy rival
for New Zealand Sauvignon; one of my
Christmas selections too”. Further on, under
the red wine category she points to our
Montes Limited Selection CabernetCarmenère 2003, from Colchagua, as a
“modern, lively and fresh” wine.
IDIOMAVINO.CL : CHILEAN WINE IN ITALY
ITALIAN SOMMELIERS
EMPHASIZE THE QUALITY OF
CHILEAN WINES
The Seminar “Chile, a stupendous reality in
the South of the world”, 31st. October
2003, Hilton Hotel, Rome.
Chilean wines brilliantly showcased in Rome.
The seminar was held at the Cavalieri Hilton,
along with an open tasting, to an important
attendance and successful critics. The six
award-winning wines at the seminar, where
over one hundred sommeliers from Rome
had gathered, were highlighted with great
interest and excellent reviews by professor
Massimo Billeto, accompanied by María
Isabel Mijares, of world repute and a special
invitée to this important event. Our Montes
Alpha were greatly praised and commented
on, and there was no doubt left that Chile is
placed among world class producers. The
room was packed full with experienced Italian
professionals and the Chilean Ambassador, His
Excellency Mr. José Goñi, was among the
guests. Rome’s sommeliers were pleasantly
impressed by these wines, which, in their
opinion, place Chile among the great
producers of fine wines. 24 wineries took part
in this event. We cannot but thank all those
invited, as well as the flattering praise from
the international wine writers.
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE, USA, May 2004
TWO SUPERB SUPER
PREMIUMS
By Robert Whitley
A most interesting article on the so-called
Premium Wines of Chile points out at two of
Montes’ icons: Montes Alpha M and Montes
Folly: “Montes Alpha M is in the same
league as Clos Apalta and Almaviva, if not
quite as polished. It’s a monster compared to
the other two, blending small amounts of
merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot with
rich, beefy cabernet sauvignon from the
hillside vineyards on Montes’ Apalta estate.
Alpha M is a wine you might want to tame in
the cellar (or more likely a dark closet) a few
years before serving. Retails for about $80” …
WINES OF THE WORLD, EYEWITNESS
COMPANIONS, USA, December 2004
VIINIOPAS GUIDE 2004
FINLAND
We wish to bring to your attention the very
high scores reached by Chilean wines in this
important Finnish wine guide: “Montes
Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 (90
points) Colour : Good red. Nose: Sweet rich
oak and black currant aromas. Taste: Cherry
stone. Full bodied, stylish oak and fruit. Quite
acid for a Chilean wine. For sweet and sour
food; marinated grilled beef. Also for
Christmas table.” Montes Limited Selection
Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère 2001 (89
points) Colour: Red, a bit evolved. Nose: Oak,
Bordeaux style, dry grape a bit metallic
aromas. Taste: Medium bodied, spicy, good
taste. Good price for value.”
CHILE’S TOP PRODUCER
In the new Eyewitness Guide’ Wines of the
World, Montes is thus brought to notice :
“This company has established a reputation
for quality at all levels –particularly for its
Alpha range. Syrah is the latest challenge. By
planting the vines higher up the slope, they
will be stressed at the right time to achieve
great concentration and complexity of flavor.
Montes is a highly respected winemaker who
also acts as consultant to other companies. His
top wines, the rich, peppery, spicy Montes
Folly (Syrah), and rounded, elegant Montes
Alpha M (Cabernet blend), are two of the
finest in Chile.”
“Montes Folly deserves to be ranked this
highly on its potential alone. Montes has
planted Syrah on his steepest hillsides,
including some at a 45 degree angle, in rock
soils that were only suitable for planting after
the largest boulders were removed. The first
three vintages were very promising, although
2001 was more successful than either 2000 or
2002. What the ‘01 demonstrates, however, is
that when Montes nails it, he really nails it.
Until Montes planted syrah, there was little or
none of it to be found in Chile. There is no
place for this wine to go but up. Montes Folly
retails for about $80.”
WINE ENTHUSIAST, USA, March 2004
MONTES FOLLY KEEPS ON
GROWING
LA HORA NEWSPAPER, CHILE, 14th. July 2004
Montes Folly 2001 ($70) was given 92
points in the “Buying Guide” section. “This is
fast becoming Montes signature wine. In only
its second vintage, this 100% Syrah from the
highest reaches of the Apalta vineyard is lush,
refined and exciting. The nose offers a delicate
amalgam of cherry, mustard seed, chocolate
and horseradish notes. And while it’s huge
and extracted, it toes the line of balance. On
the palate, lovely blackberry, licorice and syrup
flavors take control and don’t let go.” - M.S.
An original idea was conceived by the owners
of Cava Vergara, a wine boutique at the San
Cristóbal Sheraton Hotel, Santiago: Viña
Montes has planted a small “vineyard”, with
vines of four different types: Carmenère,
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chardonnay.
The shop is also decorated with vinification
and cave paraphernalia, similar to those found
in proper wine cellars.
VINES PLANTED IN
POSH HOTEL
WORLD GOURMET SUMMIT,
SINGAPORE
Sponsored by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and
American Express
We travelled all the way to Singapore to
participate in the World Gourmet Summit. On
this occasion, Carlos Serrano joined a series of
activities, including a tasting session for
sommeliers, a winemaker’s dinner and a
seminar on Chile and its bounties as a quality
wine producing country. The attendants at
each of these were warmly welcomed, as
shown in the photograph.
African wine writer, Neil Pendock, sees little
trouble in pointing out that it is “a place of
earthquakes, wine and poets, like some
Antarctic Aegean”. His visit was crowned by a
stroll through the Valley of Apalta: “Perfect
physical and human terroir for larger-than-life
winemakers like Aurelio Montes, whose idea it
was to plant Syrah on the precipitous slopes of
the highest mountain in the Apalta Valley” …
“The result is Montes Folly, the first ultrapremium Syrah from Chile, complete with a
whacky label by artist/cartoonist Ralph
Steadman which is nearly as wild as the
contents.” Pendock also praises the intensity
of Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon, and
the delicacy of Montes Sauvignon Blanc.
WE CAN ALSO BE FOUND
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
SOUTH PACIFIC
It is extremely pleasant for us to be made
aware of the high appreciation and
recognition our wines are held in the remotest
and most exotic corners of the world. Or, as it
happens, in the midst of the Pacific, where the
Cook Islands, of Polynesian tradition, are
located. We wish to call that to attention and
warmly thank our importers in Rarotonga,
CITC (Trevor Clarke and Teariki
Pennycook), who already belong to our Hall
of Fame, a tradition we would wish to always
keep, dedicating it to those who show their
regard for us througout the world.
A TOP WINE FOR CHILE’S
TOP EXECUTIVES
AUCTION IN SINGAPORE
Another highlight of the stay in Singapore was
a very special auction held during a charity
dinner that took place at the Ritz-Carlton
Hotel in this city. A three litre bottle of
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon was
auctioned at Sing$ 2.000 (the equivalent of
US$ 1.176). We feel honoured to hear of the
wonderful reception our wines have received
in that sophisticated Asian market (May 2004).
Many thanks to Crystal Wines, our devoted
importers!”
THE SUNDAY TIMES, SOUTH AFRICA, May 2005
SPIRIT IN THIS BOTTLE
By Neil Pendock
Impressed by the variety of the Chilean
landscape, which he defined as “The whole
world in one country”, the prestigious South
EL MERCURIO, CHILE, May 2005
An article published in El Mercurio, Chile’s
influential newspaper, based on research
carried out by the Research International
Cadem agency, reflects upon the particular
tastes of some 100 of Chile’s top executives
(directors or managers of big companies), who
revealed their preferences, ranging from which
banks they keep their accounts in, to their
favourite wine and their signature choice
when it comes to clothes. Under the heading
Favourite Wine Brand, Montes Alpha came
First, among well known, prestigious
international names. Though taste is merely
subjective, some choices keep repeating
themselves!
Teariki Pennyc
ook
MONTES AND MONTES
ALPHA IN UKRANIA
We are thrilled to introduce you to our new
importers in Ukrania. They are none other
than Premium Wine Enterprises, in the
beautiful city of Kiev. We send them our most
heartfelt welcome to the Montes team!
MONTES IN THE
CZECH REPUBLIC
We are happy to welcome our new and
exclusive importer in the Czech Republic.
M. Král & Spol are doing a great job
importing our Montes wines. We are already
in the top restaurants and wine shops. We
wish to thank them for their preference, as
well as for their affectionate support. Many
thanks, Mrs. Král, Romana, and all the team!
A PLEASANT VISIT
FROM GERMANY
TGIC GROUP VISITS CHILE
We were also visited by various exclusive
groups from the USA. The TGIC boys and girls
came, cheerful and enthusiastic, to acquaint
themselves with Apalta and Marchigüe. It was
all great fun; amusing and full of laughter. We
can only hope they return soon!
WE ALSO WORK BY NIGHT
Forever in search of excellence and quality in
our wines, part of the 2005 vintage in Apalta
took place during the night. We started work
at 10 p.m., under the light of big, bright
baloon lamps, harvesting those wonderful
grapes all through the night. We were all
there, in fact. We even had the help of the
TGIC group, our importers from the USA, who
lent a helping hand in the operation. It was,
doubtlessly, an excellent harvest, and a
fantastic night!
We like friends to come and visit. This is why
we were very glad to receive a group from
Jacques’ Wein Depot, headed by Jacques
himself, our dear importer in Germany. We
took them to admire the slopes of Apalta and
our new Feng Shui cellar. Later, after a typically
Chilean lunch prepared for them in
Marchigüe, they were happily impressed by
what they saw. Above all, they were able to
appreciate all the great affection and
dedication that lies behind each bottle of our
wines. Thank you, JWD, for your visit!
FROM THE FURTHER SHORES
OF THE PACIFIC
VENDIMIA MAGAZINE, CHILE
Almost like an acquired tradition, some months
ago we welcomed our distinguished friends from
Casa Cuervo, our importers in Mexico, in yet
another of their pleasant visits. We walked up
the Apalta slopes, to the new cellar and,
needless to say, the Marchigüe vineyards. They
were able to see for themselves, on the spot,
how much we strive, and all the love there is
behind each and all of our wines.
Douglas Murray was invited to make a
presentation in the already famous Skalli Wine
Evolution Conference, held in Paris at the end
of January this year. CEO and Presidents of
wine enterprises of world importance
addressed relevant issues of interest to the
attendants. Douglas referred, specifically (as
requested by the Skalli organisers), to the
“Success of Montes in the USA “.
MARTIN GILLIONS’ WINE MAGAZINE
New Zealand
July- August 2004
GROUP FROM CASA CUERVO,
MEXICO
WE ATTENDED THE SKALLI
EVOLUTION CONFERENCE
IN FRANCE
Six successful Chilean wineries in the
international market debated on the situation
of Chilean wines and the need to act
cautiously and in unity. Douglas Murray, cofounder and partner of Viña Montes, is
outspoken: “The quid lies in resources. The
great tragedy of Chilean wine is medium
value. We were the first to come up with more
expensive wines in many countries, through
plenty of effort; though without, as yet, total
recognition, which will, however, come with
time. There is no country in which Chile is not
present. Further wine culture is needed,
perhaps, but that, too, is bound to change.”
By Michael Cooper
Chilean reds tend to be fullflavoured, earthy and spicy, often
with a distinct herbal edge. The
Montes range, imported by
Glengarry, features a plummy Montes
Reserve Merlot 2000 (★★★1/2, $18),
which shows good savoury, earthy
complexity; a full-bodied, supple
Montes ReserveCabernet Sauvignon
(★★★1/2, $18), with strong blackcurrant
and green leaf
flavours; and a
plummy, spicy,
brambly Montes
Reserve Malbec
2000 (★★★ 1/2,
$18), deliciously
ripe and ready.”
VITIVINICCULTURA MAGAZINE, CHILE, August 2004
THE PHILIPPINES,
AN UNCUT MARKET
This important Asian country has turned into a
growing wine consumer. On this, Douglas
Murray’s opinion is: “The Philippines are a
good alternative for exports, since it is
increasingly favouring Chilean wines, even the
most expensive. I believe it will become one of
the main Asian markets.” Thanks to the
value/quality relation, larger sections of the
market have been won, and collective efforts
are being made to get rid of the “cheap wine”
stigma and demonstrate that Chile produces
wines of high prices and excellent quality. In
this respect, Murray holds the view that “The
image of ordinary wine has been changing
abroad. Now they know that we produce stock
of different types and excellent quality. Within
a few years Chile can get to make some the
best wines in the world and prove it.” We pay
homage to our importers, Philippines Wine
Merchants, and to their President, Ralph Lim
Joseph and Lim Joseph Brothers.
created an image of high quality Chilean wine
that had not been there before. And their
example gathered momentum. Towards the
mid ‘90s premium ranges began to emerge in
several of the best wineries, oriented towards
an international market segment of specific
tastes willing to pay a plus to obtain, in return,
some of the characteristics that Chile could
deliver in their best expresion: Fruitiness,
concentration, a capacity to blend well with
the notes of new French and American oak
casks” … “With the Apalta plantation, Montes
went in search of personality for his wines.
CATADORES, MEXICO, June-July 2004
VIÑA MONTES, OR THE RISE
OF CHILEAN WINES
“The vineyards planted by Montes in the slopes
of Apalta have become a symbol of the
upward path of a winery which bet upon
quality from the very beginning” … “Montes
had rather a visionary attitude. He wanted to
make high quality wines, more in keeping with
the trend he had perceived in the outside
market, which was gradually showing its face
within a few years. The Montes Alpha range,
amongst which their Merlot soon excelled,
Besides achieving better exposure to sun and
breeze, the soil is poorer than in the plain, and
the vines’ long roots do not interfere with the
underground layers of water… The idea is to
force the grapes into interesting conditions
that will instill upon them additional richness,
concentration and character” … Of course,
Catadores is not alone in its avowed
predilection for Montes wines. We’ve picked
two famous authors who share it :
Hugh Johnson: “I immediately tasted Folly
2000 and understood exactly the reason for
the general enthusiasm. From my point of
view, it is even better than the Cabernet in
depth and structure. It is doubtlessly an
enormous promise.”
Jancis Robinson: Montes Folly is extremely
impressive. Its acidity balance is remarkable,
and though it obviously is very alcoholic, it is
also very concentrated; very flattering.”
TORONTO STAR, CANADA, 10 November, 2004
A HEAVENLY RETREAT
FOR WINE LOVERS
By Gordon Stimmell
Under the title “Chile’s Golden Boy” the
author highlights: “Aurelio Montes proved
Chile is also capable of grandeur by pouring
four vintages on his flagship Montes Alpha M
red, and unveiling a new biggie, Montes Folly
2002, a pure Syrah from the best slopes of
Apalta. One of the first to plant on hillsides
rather than the plain in the Colchagua Valley,
he practises total water control. “With
irrigation, you play the music and the plant
dances”. Montes does all the right things to
sculpt big reds. A green harvest (discarding
grape bunches mid season), high-density
plantings, night harvests, removing of stems by
hand to cut greenness in the final wines. The
2000 Montes Alpha M rates 93, with big
meaty smoky black cherry fruit with hints of
violets and a silky vessel.”
BEVERAGE DYNAMICS, USA, April 2004
A ★★★★★ STAR TOP MERLOT
Ranking 94 points, our Montes Alpha
Merlot 2002 has been awarded 5 stars by this
specialised magazine, technically oriented vis à
vis the wine and spirits market. “This deep
purple wine initially opens with a soft bouquet,
but amazing complexity lingers in the
background, with raspberry, mocha, spice and
oak. It explodes on the palate, with full body,
superb richness and extract, and ample acidity
for balance; tart cherry, raspberry and plum
flavors dominate, and the tannin indicates
marvelous potential for cellaring ($20).”
Find us on the Web!!
www.monteswines.com
MONTES S.A.
Av. Del Valle 945, Of 2611, Ciudad Empresarial,
Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
Tel: 56-2-2484805, Fax: 56-2-2484790
e-mail: [email protected]
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