2022 Montes Alpha Chardonnay Colchagua Valley 6pk 6x750ml

Montes was founded in 1988 by Aurelio Montes Sr., Douglas Murray, Alfredo Vidaurre, and Pedro Grand — and the first wine they shipped changed Chilean wine forever. The 1987 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon was the first premium Cabernet exported from Chile, proving the country could compete at a quality level the world hadn't seen before. Montes owns three estate vineyards and introduced Syrah to Chile in 1993. This is a house that led, not followed.

The 2022 Montes Alpha Chardonnay comes from Casablanca Valley, the cool-climate coastal region where slow ripening builds aromatic intensity and natural acidity.

The 2022 vintage gave the valley fresh whites with low alcohol, vibrant acidity, and strong aging potential — harvest finished about four weeks later than the previous year. Grapes were picked during the early morning hours at the coolest temperature, then processed three different ways: whole-cluster pressed, destemmed and pressed, or cold-macerated for a few hours. Fifty percent of the wine aged for 12 months in French oak.

In the glass: tropical fruit — papaya, pineapple — with the asparagus note typical of cool-climate coastal Chardonnay. Delicate toast from the barrel work. A hint of vanilla and nuts. Strawberries and floral hints. Juicy, fleshy fruit with soft tannins.