Montes Purple Angel Carmenere 2006

"A very ambitious style, with dark, exotic toast leading the way for fig sauce, currant paste and Turkish coffee flavors that manage to stay pure and driven. The long, very polished finish let a mineral note echo. Carmenčre and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2011. 11,000 cases made. –JM" -Rated 91, Wine Spectator

"The 2006 Purple Angel is composed of 92% Carmenere and 8% Petit Verdot (an increasingly important blending grape in Chile) aged for 18 months in new French oak before bottling without filtration. Purple/black in color, it has a splendid perfume of toasty oak, pencil lead, incense, sage, blueberry, and blackberry. Layered, bordering on opulent, this full-throttle wine has gobs of fruit, succulent flavors, and a long, pure finish. Cellar it for 5-7 years and drink it from 2015 to 2026. It is another example of just how good Carmenere can be when grown in the right terroir with extended hang-time. Aurelio Montes remains one of Chile's great innovators and quality leaders. His latest releases are first class from entry level to the top of the portfolio." -Rated 93, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The nose of black olive, grilled beef and black fruit is made elegant via a floral perfume, and overall this big-boned Carmenčre is beautifully balanced and loaded with cola, blackberry, licorice and chocolate. Dark as night on the finish, and ageable for a few years. — M.S. (9/1/2009)" -Rated 92, Wine Enthusiast

"Glass-staining ruby. Pungent scents of red and dark berry preserves are complicated by musky herbs, cracked pepper and potpourri, with a suave undercurrent of oak spices. Sweet, pliant blackberry and candied cherry flavors are framed by velvety tannins and given a tangy edge by a bright minerality that builds on the finish. This will reward patience but is pretty delicious right now." -Rated 92, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar