Montes Alpha Chardonnay 2022

Category:
 
White Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
White Wines
Producer:
 
Montes
Label Name:
 
Alpha Chardonnay
Vintage:
 
2022
Country:
 
Chile
Region:
 
Aconcagua Costa (Casablanca Valley)
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14%
Grape(s):
 
100% Chardonnay
Acidity:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
10-12°C

Awards/Ratings
92 Vinous; 91 James Suckling; 89 Wine Spectator; widely reviewed by international critics for 2022 vintage

Tasting Note
Bright tropical fruits (pineapple, papaya) and citrus (grapefruit), with stone-fruit and subtle white-asparagus notes. Toasted vanilla and hazelnut from oak, creamy mid-palate, vibrant acidity and a long, elegant finish.

Food Pairing
Western: grilled salmon, lobster or shellfish with butter, chicken in cream sauce, mushroom risotto, aged semi‑hard cheeses. Asian: salmon sushi/sashimi, miso‑glazed cod, scallop tempura, Cantonese roasted chicken, lightly spiced Thai fish cakes.

Production Method
Hand-harvested Chardonnay; fermented in stainless steel and French oak; about 30% matured 12 months in French oak (1st–3rd use). 2022 vinification emphasized freshness with minimal/no malolactic.

Vineyard Info
Viña Montes, founded in 1987 by Aurelio Montes, produces the Alpha range as its premium line; fruit comes from cold coastal sites on the Aconcagua coast/Casablanca Valley.