Montes Cabernet Sauvignon

Montes Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine from Chile's Colchagua Valley, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2017 vintage earned a Gold medal at the 2020 Sakura Awards, reinforcing the consistency that has made Viña Montes one of Chile's most recognized producers since its founding in 1987.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Colchagua Valley, Chile  |  Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Viña Montes

Production & Heritage

Viña Montes was established in 1987 by four partners — Aurelio Montes, Douglas Murray, Alfredo Vidaurre, and Pedro Grand — with the stated goal of redefining Chilean wine's reputation on the global stage. Grapes for the Classic Cabernet Sauvignon are hand-picked from estate-owned vineyards in the Colchagua Valley and aged in French oak barrels, which contribute structure and subtle vanilla-spice complexity. In a distinctive production practice, Montes plays Gregorian chants in its barrel room during maturation — a technique the winery adopted based on research suggesting that gentle sound vibrations may positively influence the aging process, making it one of the first producers in the world to do so.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe blackcurrant and dark plum, followed by layers of cassis and a distinct eucalyptus note characteristic of Colchagua Valley Cabernet. Underneath, subtle hints of cigar box, vanilla, and toasted oak emerge as the wine breathes.

Taste: On entry, fresh red and black fruit — cherry, strawberry, blackcurrant — fills the palate with generous concentration. The mid-palate builds into sweet baking spices like nutmeg and black pepper, supported by silky, well-integrated tannins. Despite medium body, there is a fullness and balance that avoids heaviness.

Finish: The finish is smooth and moderately long, with lingering notes of dark chocolate and crème de cassis. Finely grained tannins persist, leaving a clean and slightly spiced aftertaste.

How to Drink Montes Cabernet

This Cabernet performs well at a slight cellar temperature — around 16–18°C (60–64°F) — and benefits from 20 to 30 minutes of breathing time, either decanted or simply opened in advance. Three cocktails where it contributes meaningfully: a classic Kalimotxo, where its ripe fruit and balanced tannins soften against cola's sweetness; a Red Wine Spritzer, using sparkling water to highlight its fresh berry aromatics in warm weather; and a New York Sour, where the wine float adds color and a cassis-rich layer atop bourbon and citrus.

Best For

• Introducing someone to quality Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
• Weeknight dinners with grilled red meats or hearty stews
• Building a South American wine collection at an accessible entry point
• Bringing a reliable bottle to a dinner party without overthinking it

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Montes Cabernet taste like? It leads with ripe blackcurrant and plum fruit, balanced by sweet spice, vanilla from French oak aging, and smooth, silky tannins. A subtle eucalyptus note adds a distinctive Colchagua Valley character.

How does Montes Cabernet compare to Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are widely available Chilean Cabernets, but Montes emphasizes estate-grown fruit from Colchagua Valley and French oak aging, while Concha y Toro's Casillero del Diablo sources from broader Central Valley vineyards. Montes generally shows more structural refinement and oak complexity at a slightly higher price tier.

Is Montes Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes — its balanced tannins, medium body, and layered fruit-and-oak profile make it a comfortable standalone sipper, especially after brief decanting.

Where is Montes Cabernet made? It is produced by Viña Montes at their estate in the Colchagua Valley, one of Chile's premier red wine regions located about 180 kilometers south of Santiago. The winery, founded in 1987, farms its own vineyards in this warm, Mediterranean-climate valley.

What foods pair well with Montes Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak matches its dark fruit intensity and tannin structure. Lamb chops with rosemary echo its herbal undertones. Aged cheddar or Manchego cheese complement its oak-derived spice. A slow-braised beef short rib mirrors the wine's richness. Dark chocolate desserts harmonize with its cassis and cocoa finish notes.

What sizes does Montes Cabernet come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely distributed format for this expression.

Is Montes Cabernet worth the price? Montes Cabernet Sauvignon sits in the entry-level to mid-range tier of Chilean Cabernets, positioned above bulk-production labels but below the winery's own Alpha and Purple Angel lines. For estate-grown fruit with French oak aging and consistent international recognition, it represents strong value within its category.

Why Montes Cabernet?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of Chilean Cabernets starts in the barrel room, where Gregorian chants play continuously during maturation — a practice Montes pioneered based on acoustic research into vibration and wine development. Beyond the novelty, the wine itself reflects four decades of estate viticulture in the Colchagua Valley, one of Chile's most respected appellations for Cabernet Sauvignon. Its Gold medal at the Sakura Awards confirms consistent quality across vintages. For drinkers seeking a Chilean Cabernet with genuine character and a verifiable story behind its production, the Montes Classic delivers substance over marketing.