Wine Reviews

A lush and slightly ripe style but boasts a brambly, rosemary-accented array of blackberry and black cherry, with cassis, peppercorn and baking spice details emerging as this moves. Finishes with smooth tannins and chocolaty accents.

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 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.

In this vintage Montes captures more freshness in a rich, flavorful red. Lots of peppercorns and typical carmenere character, with brooding blackberries that are ripe and opulent, but most importantly it remains fresh and balanced.