The Montes icon wines begin with the 2008 Purple Angel, a blend of 92% Carmenere and 8% Petit Verdot sourced from yields of less than 2 tons/acre and aged for 18 months in new French oak. It has become one of the benchmarks for what can be achieved with Carmenere. Notions of sandalwood, exotic spices, incense, a hint of chocolate, blueberry, and black currant set the stage for a dense, rich, voluptuous, structured wine that is all about pleasure. This lengthy offering will benefit from another 3-4 years of cellaring and will provide prime drinking from 2015 to 2023. Aurelio Montes has a well-earned reputation as one of Chile’s foremost vignerons. The Montes wines offer great value at the lower end of the spectrum and set the bar for what can be achieved in Chile at the higher end.Importer: TGIC Imports, Woodland Hills, CA; www.tgicimports.com

Dark and ripe, with well-integrated espresso and toast notes running through the blackberry, currant and dark licorice core. The solid, fleshy finish has nice pepper and cassis hints. Carmenère and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2012. 2,050 cases imported.??–JM??Region: Chile / Central Valley-Chile / Rapel / Colchagua Valley Select to Add

Superripe and potent Carmenere from Montes, with coconut, prune, Port and baked cherry aromas. Calling it powerful is an understatement; it’s piercing and penetrating, with wild blackberry, coffee and bitter chocolate flavors. Toast and espresso darkness rule the finish. Drink now through 2014.——M.S.(2/1/2012)—— 91