Montes Folly 2019

Back in 2000, planting Syrah in Chile was a pretty bold move - hence the name 'Folly' - but Aurelio Montes clearly knew what he was doing. It soon become one of Chile's standout premium wines, proving just how well Syrah can thrive there. The fruit comes from steep, high-altitude slopes in Apalta, where low yields pack in loads of concentration. After 18 months in French oak, the result is full-bodied and intense, but with an elegant, polished edge. Full of ripe black fruits layered with dark chocolate, tobacco, and a hint of vanilla it's more in line with a plush Aussie Shiraz than a Rhône classic, but still shows plenty of balance and restraint. Velvety tannins and a long, smooth finish round it off beautifully. Well worthy of its status as a trailblazer for Chilean Syrah.

Venison stew or roast wild boar are cracking choices - the ripe black fruit, velvety tannins, and smoky hints work a treat with bold game flavours. It's spot on now and will be for the next 4-5 years.

Viña Montes began in 1987 as a partnership between Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray, two pillars of the Chilean wine industry. They were convinced that Chile has the capability to produce wine of a quality to match anywhere else in the world and they set out to put this into practice. Douglas Murray died in 2010 but Aurelio has continued to develop and grow the business. Through the 1990's they focussed on the Apalta region of the Colchagua valley, where their winery is to be found near the town of Santa Cruz about 2 hours south of Chile's capital Santiago. And while much of their fame can be ascribed to their iconic wines, among them Montes Alpha 'M', Montes Folly and Purple Angel, they also produce many more wines ranging from excellent and good value entry level varietals right up to some of the most expensive and highly regarded wines Chile has to offer.