Purple Angel by Montes 2021

If top-tier Chilean Carmenère is your thing, this one deserves a spot on your list. The fruit comes from Montes' vineyards in Apalta and Marchigüe - two of the Colchagua Valley's finest spots - and spends 18 months in mostly new oak. There's also a splash of Petit Verdot in the mix, adding a bit of spice and extra structure. Think rich blackberry and fig aromas, with nutmeg, dark chocolate, and a hint of pastry sneaking in too. Full-bodied and beautifully balanced, it's got ripe tannins, fresh acidity, and a long, satisfying finish. An example of Carmenère at its very best.

Herb-crusted lamb or slow-roasted goat with garlic and rosemary are spot-on. The wine's full-bodied richness and dark fruit soak up the bold, herby flavours, with a lovely spicy kick.

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.