2015 Montes Twins Malbec / Cabernet Sauvignon

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 88 points

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  1/6/2018 - mjwstickings Likes this wine: 87 Points

  This seems less commercial and contrived than the previous bottle (opened in March 2017), even if it still lacks varietal distinctiveness given the blend (Cabernet Sauvignon (35%), Syrah (30%), Carmenère (25%), Tempranillo (10%)). And while somewhat thin and a touch stale, there's still an awful lot to like, with impressive complexity that includes green pepper, herbs, baking spice, maple syrup, roast meat, and loads of dark berry fruit. Indeed, it's the broad spiciness that really stands out, and, even if the mouthfeel is a bit rough, the overall integration is as impressive as the complexity (though it could still use a year or two to soften). And let's not forget, this is a pretty inexpensive wine ($13 in Ontario), and that makes it even more impressive. (I'll give it an 87, like the first bottle, but it's pointing upwards.) Montes, one of Chile's better producers, clearly knows what it's doing.

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  3/9/2017 - mjwstickings Likes this wine: 87 Points

  This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (35%), Syrah (30%), Carmenère (25%), and Tempranillo (10%) (there's also a different Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon Twins blend from Montes) feels quite contrived and commercial, but there's no doubt a good deal of expertise went into it. The note initially suggests Carmenère greenery and dark berries, but from there it's mostly about the sweet and savoury oak, the vanilla and brown spice (cinnamon, clove) surrounding blueberry, blackberry, and chocolate, accented with mild black pepper and mint, with Syrah meatiness coming later. Thankfully, there's enough acidity, more or less, to offset the richness and heat, and so this never really gets syrupy or cloying, and a touch of drying bitterness at the end helps. So, yes, it works, even if there's no varietal distinctiveness and even if, again, the whole thing seems forced. But for just $13 in Ontario (and on sale for $9)? Well, such faults can be forgiven.

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