Wine Reviews
Derived from the upper hillside blocks at the Apalta estate and blended with 15% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Wings Carmenère wafts from the glass with a distinctly spice-driven bouquet that blends varietal character and oak-derived inflections. The mouthfeel takes a decidedly velvety turn, culminating in a long, layered and sturdy finish that lingers with powdery tannins and an additional round of toasty richness. While this offers a more structured and transparent expression of the variety than the comparatively opulent Purple Angel, it is still a rather treatment-oriented wine.
Carménère grapes used in this blend grow over granite soils in the Apalta Valley. The resulting wine shows energy and tension on the palate. A bouquet of oak spices introduces pronounced red and black fruit, green bell pepper and toasted oak flavors. It has lively acidity and a long savory finish.
The 2023 Carménère Wings, from Apalta in the Colchagua Valley, was aged for 18 months in French oak, 70% new. It opens with black fruit, ash, spice and blackberry, alongside a hint of native herbs. Oak frames the aromatics. The palate is slightly restrained and dry, with lightly grippy tannins that gain energy on the finish. The 2023 vintage makes it lighter than in previous years, reinforcing the line’s already restrained style.
The 2022 Carménère Montes Wings is blended with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon from Apalta. This is defined and intense on the nose, with plum, blueberry and blackberry aromas along with soft spice, ash and light oak hints. Creamy and focused, with polished grip and juicy length, it delivers expressive fruit and a slightly clingy finish.
Spicy personality here with a mix of spices from carmenere and the wood. Lifted sandalwood and cedar with anise, dried fennel, black bean purée and rich black currants and berries. A touch of tobacco leaf and chili chocolate too. Sweet, juicy fruit with round, small-grained tannins and a long, flavorful finish. This shows the new energy from Montes while it keeps its opulent hallmark. 18 months in French oak barrels, of which 80% is new. Drink from 2027.
