2006 Montes Alpha M RP--92 WS--94

Wine Spectator: 94 Points
Score: 94 Release Price: $95 Country: Chile Region: Rapel Issue: May 31, 2009 Very suave, with a velvety texture and fine-grained tannins that carry deceptively concentrated notes of black currant, warm fig sauce, espresso, maduro tobacco and black tea. Long and well-defined through the finish, with an ample reserve of fruit and minerality. Drink now through 2015. 4,500 cases made.--JM

Robert Parker: 92 Points
eRobertParker.com # 183 Jun 2009 Jay Miller 92 Drink: 2013 - 2026 $75-$87 (96) Montes produces three -icon- wines. The most well-known (for the moment) is the Alpha M. The 2006 is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance made up of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The wine was aged for 18 months in new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple in color, it offers up a complex bouquet of pain grille, scorched earth, violets, blackcurrant, and blackberry. This leads to a full-bodied wine with excellent depth, savory black fruit flavors, several years of aging potential, and a lengthy finish. Its drinking window should extend from 2013 to 2026. Aurelio Montes remains one of Chile's great innovators and quality leaders. His latest releases are first class from entry level to the top of the portfolio.