Wine Along The 101
  • Home
  • Articles
    • 2023 Articles >
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour 2022, A Brief Look at the Complex World of Italian Wine
      • A Night of Sicilian Wine, Spotlighting Cambria and Madaudo Wineries
      • Yealands Wines, “Think Boldly, Tread Lightly”, Leading the World Toward Sustainable Winemaking
    • 2022 Articles >
      • Further Defining the Single Vineyard Cru Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Rise of the MGA
      • The Barolo Cru Wines of Beni di Batasiolo
      • Pyros Wines Sparks World-Class Malbec
      • AlloraVino Imports, a Love Affair with Italian Wine
      • Maisons Marques & Domaines Wine Portfolio: Prestige, Glamour and Good Taste for the Holidays
      • The Original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, a Condiment and a Culture
      • Rocca delle Macìe, Taking Chianti Classico to New Heights
      • Alluring and Iconic, The World of Chianti Wines
      • Paso Robles Weaves a Thrilling Tapestry of World-Class Wine
      • LXV Wines, The Spice of Paso Robles
      • The Mouthwatering Sauvignon Blancs of Chile
      • The Wines of Portugal, Discover a World of Difference
      • Domaines Albert Bichot, An Exceptional Approach to Burgundian Wine
      • The Wines of Abruzzo Undergo a Renaissance of Quality
      • Ketcham Estate, Exceptional Wines From The Heart of the Russian River Valley
      • La Rioja Alta, S.A., Innovation and Tradition That Stands the Test of Time
      • Vega Sicilia Celebrates 40 Years of Winemaking Excellence
      • Planeta of Sicily Embraces the Past While Reaching For the Future
      • The Spirit of Renaissance is Alive and Well in “South of Somewhere”
      • Gambero Rosso Returns to LA, With the Best of Italian Wines
      • Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno, Sannio's Ancient Wine Stars
      • Tablas Creek Vineyard Embraces Regenerative Organic Farming
    • 2021 Articles >
      • Make Merry With Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Wines
      • Discover These Enchanting Italian Wines, From the Fog of Piedmont to the Island Breezes of Sardinia
      • Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery, Revitalizing an Iconic Brand
      • Thanksgiving Tips for the Best Wine and Food Pairing
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wine Country Oasis
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wonderland of Wine
      • Smith-Madrone Wines, a Napa Valley Pioneer Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
      • Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Land of Pinot Noir
      • Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Southern Oregon
      • BARRA of Mendocino Wines, an Original Organic Wine Play
      • The Opulent and Thrilling Wines of Denner Vineyards
      • L’Ecole No. 41, Expressive Wines That Pass the Test of Time With Flying Colors
      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • The Dynamic Lavico Etna Wines of Duca di Salaparuta
    • The Sangiovese Stars of San Felice Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, in Can and Bottle
    • Coen Malbec Reserve 2019, a New World Wine with Old World Sensibilities
    • Sangre de Toro Rosé, A Light and Bright Summer Thirst Quencher
    • Summer and Sauvignon Blanc, Lucky Rock Wine Co. Style
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
    • Pop the Cork on Charles Heidsieck Champagne and Bisol Prosecco
    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
    • A Dynamic Duo of Sassy Spanish White Wines
    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
    • Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino
    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2022 Highlights Hidden California Wine Gems
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
    • World of Pinot Noir 2019, A Magical Mystery Tour
    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
    • Orbit the World of Pinot Noir at the 2017 World of Pinot
    • Rhone Rangers Los Angeles 2016
  • Wine Travel
  • Videos
    • Celebration of Harvest
    • Feliz Noche Wines
    • Terravant Custom Crush
    • Que Syrah, Shiraz!
    • Paso Robles Wine Festival
    • L'Aventure Syrah Harvest
    • Clos Pepe's Prince of Pinot
  • Photos
  • Who We Are
    • About Patricia Decker
    • About Fabian Rodriguez
Picture
(L-R) Aurelio Montes Jr. and Aurelio Montes Sr.
Under the watchful eye of a guardian angel, Montes Wines has flourished since its beginnings 30 years ago.  Guided by passion, hard work, and ambition, Aurelio Montes dreamed of producing superior wines, not found in Chile at the time.  
Picture
Aurelio Montes Sr. at Montes Winery, Chile
Montes joined with three other partners, established Viña Montes, and quickly became successful with the 1987 vintage of Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon.  Encouraged by importer Alex Guarachi to pursue quality, Montes spread his wings, eager to take on challenges and push the envelope.  ​
Picture
Montes Apalta Vineyard, Chile
Picture
Montes Apalta Vineyard, Chile
Montes became the trailblazer, an innovator who shook up traditional ways of viticulture in Chile, by planting wine grapes on hillsides and developing remote valley vineyards.  He led the charge for other Chilean wine producers to invest in their unique terroir, which raised the bar for all Chilean wines.  
Picture
Kaiken Vistalba Vineyard, Argentina
Picture
Kaiken Agrelo Vineyard, Argentina
But Montes didn’t stop with Chile, over 15 years ago, he became fascinated with the very different terroir of Argentina, which he felt had more to offer than just Malbec.  Today, Kaiken, headed by his son, Aurelio Jr. has become a star among the crowded field of high quality Argentinean wines, earning kudos and awards along the way.
Picture
Aurelio Montes Jr. at Kaiken Winery, Argentina
You might say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but out of five children, Aurelio Jr. was the only one who followed in his father’s footsteps.   “My father never pushed me but when you’re a kid, and look at your father, you look at him like a hero,” Aurelio Jr. contemplated, “I got really curious about winemaking because I looked at him, so passionate about what he had done, and what he was doing, trying to break all the rules, make the best wine in the world from Chile, trying to really prove in Chile that we had an unique terroir.”  And so the teenager poured himself into learning the family business, he worked summers in the winery, graduated with honors from a Chilean winemaking university, and traveled the world for knowledge and experience.  When he returned to Chile, he eventually joined Montes winemaking team, deepening their understanding of terroir, and bringing this knowledge of matching grape varietal with the proper location to his next assignment, Kaiken Wines.  
Picture
Kaiken Agrelo Vineyard, Argentina
Picture
Kaiken Vistaflores Vineyard, Argentina
Aurelio Jr. explained, “You need to try, to experiment, you need to understand the soil, the weather, and that’s why I moved to Argentina.”  He discovered how divergent mountain wines from Argentina and coastal wines from Chile could be, “The wine is so different from each side of the Andes, one more mineral, maybe bigger in terms of phenols, of tannins, and in Chile, it’s more fruity, more elegant”.  Here, he spent five years growing Kaiken’s quality and reputation, channeling his father’s drive for excellence in wine.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Alex Guarachi introduced father and son at Los Angeles tasting luncheon
Picture
At a very special wine tasting in Los Angeles, billed “Like Father, Like Son, Two Generations of Montes, One Tasting”, Aurelio Sr. and Aurelio Jr. presented a fascinating study of Montes Chilean and Kaiken Argentinean wines.  The overview?  Chile’s cooler coastal climate gives rise to leaner wines, with more fruit and spice, whereas Argentina’s hotter desert environment contributes concentrated fruit, bigger tannins and more minerality to the wines, essentially each is the opposite of the other.  As Aurelio Sr. observed, “It’s interesting, with the same winemaking procedures, 99% of the difference comes from terroir”.  Different tiers of Montes and Kaiken wines went glass to glass, channeling the terroir and the father and son who are the driving forces behind the labels.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Sharing their stories, and bouncing their individual palates off each other, it was a blend of good-natured ribbing and humor, aged in a vessel of family dynamics, that infused their wines with a spark of innovation and excitement.  The story of Montes wines has evolved tremendously since it’s beginnings, but it’s future is still being written in the creative spirit of the father and the son.
Picture
Picture
Flutes of Montes Sparkling Angel Brut greeted everyone, a festive and distinctive sparkler made of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay.  A fabulous bubble stream unleashed aromas of flowers, dried fruit, nuts, and toasted bread, fresh and delightful on the finish.  This is something new for Montes, an imaginative way to discover the wines of Chile!
Picture
Montes Alpha and Kaiken Ultra wines
Picture
The first three comparison tastings of Montes Alpha and Kaiken Ultra were varietal wines from the 2014 vintage, all retailing under $20.  Both labels represent their medium quality, fairly priced wines, and are great value for the quality.
Picture
Picture
Up first, Chardonnay from both filled the glasses.  Aurelio Sr. spoke for Montes Alpha Chardonnay, “Chilean Chardonnay is crisper, leaner, it’s got a better edge, and it’s got a lot of fruit in it.”  For Kaiken Ultra Chardonnay, Aurelio Jr. noted, “In Argentina, you get maybe less intensity in terms of aromas, but in the mouth, you get better grip, better minerality in the mouth.”   You couldn’t get more opposite, yet there is a thread that connects the two.  “When I moved to Argentina, it was a place that was impossible to produce white wine, it was too warm, we didn’t have the influence from the ocean,” Aurelio Jr. observed, “but the influence from the Andes, where the higher altitude gives you cooler temperatures, we get the breeze from the Andes, which cools everything down.”  The Montes Alpha was more tropical fruit, higher acid, balanced and elegant, while the Kaiken Ultra was bigger in the mouth, more structured and mineral.
Picture
Picture
Second tasting, the Cabernet Sauvignons were compared.  Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon was Aurelio Sr.’s first wine that put Montes on the map in 1988.  Aurelio Jr. had a high benchmark to meet, he explained, “When I moved to Argentina, everybody was telling me, Malbec, only Malbec.  I looked at them, and thought, you can do whatever you want, I’m going to do something different.”  And so, he found a well-drained spot close to the Mendoza River to plant his Cabernet Sauvignon.  Aurelio Jr. observed, “Argentina is a paradise for winemaking, it’s a desert, there’s no insects, no fungus problems, 20% humidity, it’s a good place to grow in a biodynamic way.”  And the proof is in the glass for Kaiken Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon.  Aurelio Jr. noted, “On the nose, there is no spiciness like in Chile, we get ripe fruit, but the mouth is soft and silky, this wine will age well, but is drinkable today”.  Aurelio Sr. felt the Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon was similar to the Chardonnay in that “it’s leaner, the tannins are sharper, the acidity is higher, a very elegant wine.”  The Montes was fresh and light, with good acidity, and balanced use of oak, while the Kaiken was more lush, with dark berry fruit enveloped in a mineral, structured body, finishing silky and long.
Picture
Picture
Third tasting, Malbec took center stage.  You might think that the Argentinean Kaiken Ultra Malbec is the obvious choice, but hold on.  Aurelio Jr. observed that the riper Malbec fruit from Argentina makes a “Malbec that is much more expressive on the nose, spicy, with black fruit, beautiful tannins and very juicy”, but it requires a different oak treatment, “because the wine is more sweet, we use different barrels, which gives more tobacco, vanilla, dark chocolate, so we don’t compete with the juiciness of the wine.”  Even Aurelio Sr. agreed, remarking that “it’s so voluptuous, so sensual, the flavors remind me a little of sweet coffee, toffee, butterscotch, it goes so well with meat.”  Yet the Montes Alpha Malbec has the greater aging potential, as Aurelio Jr. weighed in, “Chile is more austere, bigger tannins, more acidity, very elegant.”   He continued, “In Chile, we need to work more to find good Malbec, but when we find the place, it can compete directly with Argentina.”  For today’s drinking, the riper fruit of Kaiken is more attractive, but in time, Montes acidity and tannin will mellow, yielding an elegant wine.
Picture
Picture
And now for something completely different!  Outside the box thinking and play time for father and son, with some unusual offerings.  The Montes Outer Limits CGM 2015, a Rhone blend of Carignan, Grenache, and Mourvedre, is what Aurelio Sr. dubbed “Terroirs Beyond Frontiers”, varietals originally planted by Spaniards centuries ago, but today, a way to “reach new drinkers, different from the classics.”  This Wild Slopes Red was juicy and full of character, a smooth, complex melange of fruit, spice, dark chocolate and tobacco.  Aurelio Jr. offered up his passion project, Kaiken Obertura 2014, 100% Cabernet Franc, “It’s a wine that opens a new door, Argentina is known for big reds, this Cabernet Franc is very delicate, neutral oak, mainly fruit from very high altitude, beautiful silky tannins.”  He continued, “Argentina is more than Malbec.  For years we have been promoting Malbec so strongly, that now it’s getting kind of boring.  We need to show you other varieties.  It’s time to open the gate to new things.”
Picture
Icon wines and three vintages of Taita
Picture
Picture
The tasting moved up the pyramid, to what Montes Sr. and Jr. call their “icon wines”.  Montes Alpha M is a Bordeaux blend, 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2012 vintage was excellent, crafted in the style of a French first-growth Bordeaux.  Powerful, with its concentrated fruit, structure, and overall elegance in its balance of acidity and tannins, a hint of mint lifted the aromatics and flavor, a gorgeous wine.  The Kaiken Mai Malbec 2013 is very special, made from the fruit of a 107-year-old vineyard just outside of the city of Mendoza.  Aurelio Jr. calls it a “gold mine”, where mostly Malbec vines are sprinkled with a few plants of Semillon, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, “you get the flavor of a 107-year-old vine, with a touch of spiciness of these other varieties.”  He found that “The M has evolved into such an elegant wine, still keeping the freshness, the fruit, a little bit of that tiny mintiness, very elegant.  Argentina is keeping the voluptuousness, the sweetness, the Malbec here, in my opinion, is 100% Argentinean taste.”  Truly the wow factor!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Montes Taita, the pinnacle, is the culmination of winemaking experience and exceptional terroir, what Aurelio Sr. called “Wisdom In Wine”, noted on the label.  Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 85% of the wine, with the other 15% being the Winemaker’s Secret Choice, which depends upon vintage conditions.  In a good year, Merlot or Syrah is the choice; in a cooler year, Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot is the go to varieties.  A vertical tasting of the 2007, 2009, and 2010 vintages was poured, Taita is only made in the best years, the reason that there is no 2008, due to late rains during harvest.  These are hugely concentrated wines, with the 2007 and 2009 the most opulent and seductive, with a finish that goes on forever, in the realm of a life-changing wine that will haunt your sense memory for a long time.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Over a three course lunch at The District by Hannah An, two additional whites, a Montes Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc and Kaiken Terroir Series Torrontés, were poured along with the Montes Purple Angel 2013, an icon wine blend of Carménère and Petit Verdot that expressed the best of Chile’s terroir.  Montes offers an incredible range of wines, among all price points.  In fact, Wine Spectator just named Montes as one of 30 “wineries to trust” in the world for their excellence and affordability.
Picture
Montes Winery, Chile
Picture
Kaiken Winery, Argentina
Always seeking out the next challenge, Aurelio Sr. and Jr. continue to broaden the winescape for both Chile and Argentina.  In addition to creating quality wine today, the Montes family is committed to the future.  
Picture
Wildlife corridor in Montes Apalta Estate vineyards, Chile
Picture
Harvest at Kaiken Agrelo Vineyard, Argentina
Embracing dry farming and biodynamic techniques, Montes works to be sustainable, from wildlife corridors in the vineyards, to energy conservation and recycling in the winery.  But it doesn’t stop there, Montes is socially responsible as well, contributing to their workers and their families’ education, believing that happy people do a better job.  Aurelio Jr. explained how that translates into better wine and business, “When we moved to Argentina, we made a policy not to try to make Chilean wine in Argentina, or Argentinean wine in Chile, it’s not just the terroir, the soil, but the right people.”   And looking at the whole picture, he mused, “We are not looking for results today, we are looking for the long future, to do something that will last forever.”   With a guardian angel by their side, the future looks bright.
***All photos from Argentina and Chile, and bottle shots, courtesy of Montes Wines***