Community Tasting Notes 22

• biggie Likes this wine: 93 points

  June 22, 2023 - Leaf Day - found in the cellar wine (may have been added as a 2010). High fill - no loss. Cork was in good condition but broke 2/3 of the way down. Had to push it in. Decanted off (and strained) bits of cork and a small amount (about a tsp) of fine sediment.
  Immediately after decanting - opaque core ruby in colour out to the edge. Nose oak, dark plum, vanilla, red flowers and just a hint of maturity via some damp earth and herbs. On the palate it’s very soft and mouth filling with the vanilla, oak and big ripe dark fruit initially. Very warm on the palate ( a combination of spice from the barrel and alcohol) but extremely enjoyable. The finish is long with the fruit, spice, vanilla and a little earthiness continuing. Pretty well balanced considering the huge amounts of each element. Can drink by itself but will let it sit for a bit and see how it works with grilled strip loin.
  
  After 1/2 hour in the glass the aromatics have become more subdued and showing more of the red flowers and herbs than the big fruit and oak influence. On the palate it’s still plush with fully resolved but still present tannins and medium plus acidity. The finish is long with the spice and herbs and some black licorice showing. The alcohol (15% stated) is showing more now but is not detracting from the wine’s pleasure. On the back end of the finish the vanilla and oak shows. This will happily go another 3-5 years. It’ll be as enjoyable then as now but there is no need to wait - I don’t see a lot of evolution coming.
  
  2nd day - Fruit Day - no colour change. Nose is ripe dark fruit (plum/blackberry) with dark chocolate, spice, vanilla and just a touch of smoke. On the palate it’s still got some ripe tannins and is as smooth as yesterday but the fruit has diminished enough to allow the structure to shine a little more. The finish is long and there’s some definite herb action along with some black licorice and now some tobacco showing. It’s a bit disjointed today as each element is there but not fully merged into a whole.

  Comment

• stayhappy21 wrote: 91 points

  December 28, 2021 - Brought this to Famous Treasure for a wine dinner with my wine mates.
  
  Decanted for 2 hours prior to consumption. Smooth texture on the palate, almost silk-like with a long, lingering finish. Smooth and elegant, very polished. Not as impressive as the earlier vintages which I've had, but good enough for a meal with friends during the festive season.
  
  Energy in a velvet glove. Way punches above its weight.

  Comment

• mac-eye Likes this wine: 93 points

  June 8, 2020 - Awesome! My favorite from a tasting Montes wines in 2015 - and now even better. Perfectly ready to drink now, may continue to improve. Deep dark purple monster, intense fruit and strong but softened tannins. Dropped a fair amount of fine sediment.
  However, it's a bit monochromatic compared to some syrahs in similar or lower price range, particularly the better California syrahs such as Ojai, Carlisle and Bedrock.

  Comment

• DrZett wrote: 95 points

  April 7, 2020 - Five years since my last time trying this one. Still in an incredible condition. I said it once and say it again, on of the top 3 South American Syrah and one of the top 10 Of all South American wines. Just beautiful.

  Comment

• Bordeaux-OH-OH! Likes this wine: 97 points

  January 31, 2020 - This was my New Years Eve bottle. It was intense right out of the bottle, let it sit for a couple of hours and it really opened up and mellowed. Big dark berry notes, but so smooth. The bouquet and flavor was deep and wonderful, floral with blackberry, bark, and cinnamon notes.
  The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture and finishes long with low acidity. Please let it have air for an hour or two. If this is getting better I am getting excited about the next bottle. I love this.

  Comment

Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2011
• Type Red
• Producer Montes
• Varietal Syrah
• Designation Folly
• Vineyard La Finca de Apalta
• Country Chile
• Region Rapel Valley
• SubRegion Colchagua Valley
• Appellation n/a

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 193 (46%)
• Consumed 229 (54%)

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