Montes Purple Angel 2021 Chile Colchagua Valley

Purple Angel is a testament to Montes’ rise to international acclaim. This Chilean wine, first released in 2005, quickly garnered popularity and put the 100% Chilean-owned and operated winery on the world map. It’s a bold yet approachable wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared for up to 15 years. For optimal enjoyment, decant it an hour before serving.

A blend of 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot, Purple Angel is sourced from estate vineyards in Apalta and Marchigüe within Chile’s Colchagua Valley. The grapes grow in diverse, granitic soils with various fluvial and glacial stones.

This medium- to full-bodied wine displays a rich purple hue with garnet highlights. Voluminous on the palate, it has medium tannins and a well-defined structure. Aromas of ripe blackberry and blueberry give way to more concentrated notes of dried plum, cherry preserves, and blackcurrant candy. Aged for 18 months in French oak, the wine also presents toasty notes, hints of nuttiness, and sweet spice. The palate echoes the dark fruit flavors, followed by nuances of leather, cocoa, and balsamic.

Purple Angel pairs beautifully with poultry and a wide range of pork dishes, especially those rich in fat, such as lardo, charcuterie, and ribs. It also complements aged cheese, creamy risotto, and carbonara.