Montes Alpha Chardonnay 2006 Special Cuvee

Quality: Average (borderline Rubbish)

Value: Average (borderline Rubbish)

At a glance...

Complexity/Character: Some pineapple and other indistinct tropical fruits. Secondary oak flavours with hints of smokiness too. Both the nose and palate are however, somewhat tainted by distinct cauliflower/canned corn aromas (I suspect the result of some Dimeythl Sulphide (DMS) contamination in the wine making process).

Balance: Respectable acidity, but the fruit and other flavours are masked by the DMS taint, so the balance is naturally off.

Length: None really.

Region: Casablanca Valley, Chile

Price: A$20 (approx.)

Alc/vol: A ridiculous 14% alc/vol

Source: Dan Murphy Cellars

Tasting Notes:

We tasted the 2005 version of this wine in 2007 and concluded that although it was a bit rough around the edges, at the price ($16), it was a reasonably good buy.

Unfortunately the same can’t be said for it’s younger partner. Just like Lehman Bros. and Merril Lynch (to name just a few), 2008 does not appear to have been particularly kind to Montes Alpha Chardonnay (well…the batch that this bottle came from anyway). The basics are still there, but there is something about the wine that is just plain wrong.

It may be that this is a relatively isolated occurrence and that not all bottles are affected, but unfortunately there’s only one way to find out (i.e. open every one!).

So, if you’re after a thrill and are willing to drop $20 on a wing and a prayer, go for it.

Personally I wouldn’t bother.

MW