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2021 Montes "Purple Angel" Carménère Valle de Colchagua

2021 Montes "Purple Angel" Carménère Valle de Colchagua

97JS
97TA
94VN
94WS
93WE
$117.99

Fulfillment times vary, for estimated turnaround times

Availability by location

Culver City: 9 | Redwood City: 6 | Hollywood: 5 | San Francisco: 4 | Main Warehouse: 3

97

James Suckling

Reviewed February 2024
Terrific aromas of black fruit and blackcurrants with dried spices such as thyme, rosemary and oregano. Notes of dried figs, tomato leaves and blackberry leaves. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins that are polished and so attractive. Refined and caressing in the finish. Structured tannins at the end. Very drinkable and enjoyable now. Slightly low alcohol this year. Why wait?

Professional Reviews

97

Tim Atkin

Review Date: 06/2025
For me, this is the best Purple Angel since 2016, another cooler, fresher vintage in Chile. Partnering Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot, with equal parts of the blend from Apalta and Marchigüe, this has plenty of graphite and tarragon on the nose, supple, granular tannins, layers of coffee bean, chocolate and black cherry and a balanced, nuanced finish. A wine that doesn’t seem to be trying too hard to impress you. Delicious.

94

Vinous

Review Date: 07/2024
The 2021 Carménère Purple Angel also includes 8% Petit Verdot, sourced from a small plot called Block 1 in the winery’s Apalta vineyard. Aged for up to 18 months in French oak barrels, 70% of which are new, this dark purple wine reveals hints of ash, red bell pepper and violets against a backdrop of cedar. Indulgent, rich and overwhelming on the palate, the fine, reactive tannins and velvety texture linger with a slightly juicy mouthfeel. The cold 2021 year resulted in a palate that is slightly lighter compared to other years. (JH)

94

Wine Spectator

Review Date: 11/2024
This rather muscular red opens with elegance and grace, offering peppery floral details that meld with baking spice, sage and vanilla bean aromas before giving way to a concentrated core of mineral-accented berry and damson plum flavors that build richness as they make their way to the finish line, stretching out around firming tannins and a late echo of coffee bean. Carmenère and Petit Verdot.

Staff Reviews

ML
Matthew Landau Hassan

Matthew Landau Hassan

Review Date: 10/2025
The 2021 Purple Angel reminds me why this wine has such a loyal following. A deep brooding Carmenère and Petit Verdot, opens with dense aromas of blackberry compote, cocoa, and espresso, lifted by a touch of fresh mint and spice. The palate is plush and layered- silky tannins framing waves of ripe dark fruit, chocolate, and tobacco. Despite its richness, this balance is spot-on this vintage, with freshness that keeps it lively through a long, polished finish. Powerful yet refined, this is one of Chiles most impressive reds, and it's drinking beautifully now with the potential to age gracefully for another decade.

Notes

Purple Angel is perhaps the most well-known Carmenere in the world! It is produced by Viña Montes, one of Chile’s most renowned wineries, which was founded in 1988 by Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray. Purple Angel, introduced in the early 2000s, is their flagship wine. Carmenere was a Bordeaux varietal once thought lost but rediscovered in Chile in the 1990s. Sourced from top vineyards in the Colchagua Valley (notably Apalta and Marchigüe), the wine is mostly Carmenère with a dash of 8% Petit Verdot, and it is aged in French oak. It’s known for its lush black fruit, spicy notes,, and a plush yet structured palate, earning consistently high scores from critics.

Details

OriginChile
Type/VarietalOther Red Wines
SKU1933703