2006 Casa Lapostolle Merlot Cuvée Alexandre

Very dark purple in color. The nose is spice box, cedar and black fruit. Across the palate this wine has a lot going on. Plumb and currant fruit lead the way with anise, black pepper and dark chocolate notes following at the end. The tannins are still big and linger on the finish but will lay down with a little more bottle time.This blend of 85% Merlot and 15 % Carmenere comes from Casa Lapostolle’s Apalta Vineyard which is located in the Rapel Valley sub appellation of Chile’s Central Valley. It’s blended with the Carmenere to as some structure and spice. Very good vintage from a very consistent producer.

2006 Montes Cabernet Sauvignon Alpha (Chile, Central Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley)

Dark crimson in color. Very fruit forward and lush. The nose is full of black fruit and hints of licorice and smoke. Lots of pronounced black cherry, currant and smoky tobacco flavors that mix well with the sturdy tannins. The finish is medium length. Aged in French oak it’s built to drink now. Good QPR. Vina Montes consistently produces very good and affordable Cabernet Sauvignon’s year after year.  Colchagua Valley, in Chile’s Central Valley, has warm summer days and cooler nights which make for ideal conditions to produce ripe Cabernet grapes. Another great effort for the money ($18).

Learn more about this producer here http://www.monteswines.com/english/home.htm

2005 Los Maquis Calcu (Chile, Central Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley)

The nose is full of smoke and red fruit. Although this wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Carmenère it’s the Carmenère notes that are most prominent to me. The red fruit turns a bit tart across the palate and there is also notes of tar and dusty wildberry. The gripping tannins linger on the finish. This wine is from Chile’s Colchagua Valley which is known for rich Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere. It’s not great but it’s good for the price which is around $10.

2006 Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Alexandre Apalta Vineyard (Chile, Central Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley)

The color is a deep purple. The  nose gives off notes of Herbes de Provence and blackberry. The blackberry holds on across the palate and also picks up vanilla and a strong mineral edge. The tannins and a little rough still. It might soften with more time but it will still be very tannic. Not quite up to previous vintages but good nonetheless.

2005 Montes Cabernet Sauvignon Alpha (Chile, Colchagua Valley)

This wine had a dark ruby color. The nose was dark cherry and leather. The flavors were an interesting mix of red cherry, graphite and licorice. The finish was medium length and held the mineral edge all the way through. This wine tasted a little different that the previous vintages. It almost has a Carmenere overtone. I perfer the 2004 but this is also a solid effort.