Montes Carmenere Alpha 2018

Deep purplish-red in color. The intense nose offers pleasing notes of ripe blackberries, figs, and dried plums. Spicy notes of nutmeg and black pepper complement a backdrop of tobacco, leather, and a subtle hint balsamic and dark chocolate aromas. The palate is well balanced, lush, and structured, with soft tannins that lead to a long and very elegant finish.

Highly recommended with red meats, stir-fried beef and vegetables, pork chops, spaghetti with Bolognese sauce, lamb chops, and mushroom ravioli.

Black cherry, black-berry, plum skin, red bell pepper, and a dash of spicy chile flakes carry over to the medium-bodied palate and dry, graphite-lined finish. Blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and sport-ing a classic-looking label, this dry-farmed Carménère aged for one year in first-, second-, and third-use French oak barrels.