“CGM” Apalta Vineyard 2021 – Outer Limits by Montes

The grapes to produce the “CGM” Apalta Vineyard Outer Limits by Montes, were sorted twice, destemmed and cold soaked at 7°C for three to five days to extract aroma and colour. The temperature of the stainless steel tanks was then raised naturally and fermentation began using indigenous yeasts. Fermentation occurred at temperatures of 22–25°C for five to eight days, with manual punch downs and low-volume pump overs three times per day. It was kept on the skins for a further three to five days before 50% was racked in to French oak barrels (20% new) for malolactic conversion and matured for 12 months.The remaining 50% was kept in concrete tanks for the same period of time. The wine was filtered before bottling.

All the grapes come from Montes’ own single vineyard ‘La Finca Apalta’ in Apalta, arguably one of the finest sites for red wine grape growing in Chile. Vines in Apalta are planted on 45° slopes with south-east exposure, which helps achieve ripeness. The soils are of granitic origin, with clay and decomposing rock. The vines are conducted under the pole system on terraces. Even at 55km away, the ocean has an influence, with cool breezes moderating this warm area. In addition, low night-time temperatures prolong ripening, allowing for the slow development and retention of varietal aromas and acidity. Montes practise minimum intervention in the vineyard.

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. The Montes wines are consistently good because they are meticulous throughout the entire production process. The Outer Limits wines were born out of Aurelio Montes’ desire to push Chilean viticulture in a new direction. The 45 hectare Zapallar Vineyard in the Aconcagua Valley was Montes’ first venture into the ‘outer limits’. Due to the balance and concentration in the Outer Limits wines, they can be enjoyed now or allowed to age for a few years, rewarding with a wonderfully complex bouquet.