2019 Montes, `Folly` Apalta Vineyard Syrah, 6x750ml

2019 Montes, `Folly` Apalta Vineyard Syrah, 6x750ml

2019 Montes, `Folly` Apalta Vineyard Syrah, 6x750ml

Vegan / Vegetarian

Availability: In stock

Case size: 6 / Bottle size: 750ml

Duty Status
From £260.00

Critics Score: 94

Publication: Tim Atkin MW

Little by little, the amount of new oak on Folly is being reduced, to the benefit of the wine in my opinion, as are the power and ripeness of the fruit. Dense, plush, ripe and intense, it's still something of a statement red, but there's no denying the quality of the blackberry and garrigue flavours complemented by wood spices.
Montes was established in 1988 by Aurelio Montes, Douglas Murray, Alfredo Vidaurre and Pedro Grand, with the aim of producing the best wines in Chile from the best regions. We have long admired Montes and what they have done for Chilean wine over the past three decades. Their wines are consistently good because they are meticulous throughout the entire production process.

In 2020, Aurelio Montes’ his illustrious career was recognised in the form of the International Wine Challenge’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Syrah grapes are sourced from a single parcel on the highest, steepest slopes of Apalta's 'Finca Apalta', arguably one of the finest sites for red wine grape growing in Chile. The Guyot-trained vines are planted on 45° slopes providing good exposure to aid ripening, and the soils are of granite origin and consist primarily of eroded rock from the mountain chain above. They are thin with low organic matter and good drainage, which encourages the roots to dig deep in search of water. This results in vines producing low yields of grapes with tremendous concentration and character. Despite being 60 kilometres from the ocean, its cool breezes moderate this warm area. Low night-time temperatures further prolong ripening, allowing for the slow development and retention of varietal aromas and acidity. Yields are very small at 3.5-4 tonnes per hectare.