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Montes: Carménère blends and barrel proportions
This producer in Chile’s Colchagua Valley uses vineyards in Apalta and Marchigüe. For their carménère-based Montes Alpha and Purple Angel wines, they adjust the blending of secondary varieties and their use of barrels.
Comparing 2018 Montes Alpha Carménère and Purple Angel. Read separately the blend ratios, the amount put into barrel, and the proportion of new barrels.
Questions for this course
Is '55% aged in barrel' and '80% new barrels' a comparison of the same ratio?
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To explanation task notes ↓Montes / Learn from the producer
Chile / Colchagua / Apalta, Marchigüe
Also known as / Alternative names: Viña Montes / Vina Montes / Purple Angel / Purple Angel
Update date: 2026-09-24
What, besides the main variety, is blended in?
Alpha 2018 is made from 90% Carménère and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, while Purple Angel 2018 consists of 92% Carménère and 8% Petit Verdot. Although the proportion of the main variety is similar, the supporting varieties differ. We will compare and name these remaining components as well.
Vineyards in two regions
Both documents cite Apalta and Marchigüe in Colchagua as the origin of the grapes. Soil depth and water retention differ between flatlands and slopes, and the Carménère vineyards are selected accordingly. Even if the regional name is the same, the exact parcels or grape blends used may not be identical.
Alpha's 55%
According to the materials for Alpha 2018, 55% of the wine is aged for 12 months in barrels of first, second, and third use. The 55% refers to the proportion of wine put into barrels, not just new barrels. Since barrels of different usage histories are included, it is not possible to calculate the new barrel percentage from this information.
Purple Angel’s 80% and 20%
Purple Angel 2018 is matured for 18 months, transferring 80% into new French oak and 20% into used (second and third use) French oak. These two account for the total volume. When comparing to Alpha’s 55%, make sure which figures refer to which measures.
What to align and what to compare.
Blending
- Conditions to standardize
- 2018, Carménère-based
- Conditions for comparison.
- 10% Cabernet and 8% Petit Verdot
- Additional points to confirm
- Record grape varieties other than the principal component
Vineyard
- Conditions to standardize
- Apalta and Marchigüe
- Conditions for comparison.
- Actual plots and raw materials selected
- Additional points to confirm
- Even within one region, don’t assume the same raw materials.
Barrel
- Conditions to standardize
- Use of barrel aging.
- Conditions for comparison.
- Overall barrel usage ratio and barrel history
- Additional points to confirm
- Check the denominator and category for the proportion
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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Understanding Montes: Blending of Carménère and barrel proportions
Verify the subjects of the ingredients, processes, and sources, and confirm the conditions for comparison.
The numbers are based on technical data for the indicated year, or the product description at the time of confirmation. Where no year is specified, the description does not guarantee the specifications for all years or all shipments.
| Comparison items | Alpha Carménère 2018 | Purple Angel 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Grapes | Carménère 90% + Cabernet 10% | 92% Carménère + 8% Petit Verdot |
| Proportion of wine put into barrels. | 55% of the total volume | The entire volume |
| Barrel usage history. | First, second, and third use barrels; specific new barrel ratio not stated | 80% new barrels, 20% used for second or third time |
| Period in barrel | 12 months | 18 months |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What does 55% of Alpha 2018 refer to?
55% is the proportion of the wine aged in barrels. These include barrels of the first, second, and third fills, so do not read this as 55% of the total being in new barrels.
What is the auxiliary variety in Purple Angel 2018?
Blended with 92% Carménère and 8% Petit Verdot. Record not just the main variety but also the other components, distinguishing this from Alpha’s Cabernet Sauvignon 10%.
What can be inferred from the use of Apparta and Malchughe for both wines?
While the materials refer to the same region, they do not specify which parcels' fruit or the proportions selected. It's important not to treat this as an experiment where only winemaking was varied.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Compare the raw materials and processes in the official documents and explain the insights you can derive from the comparison.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Alpha Carménère 2018 | Purple Angel 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Grapes | Carménère 90% + Cabernet 10% | 92% Carménère + 8% Petit Verdot |
| Proportion of wine put into barrels. | 55% of the total volume | The entire volume |
| Barrel usage history. | First, second, and third use barrels; specific new barrel ratio not stated | 80% new barrels, 20% used for second or third time |
| Period in barrel | 12 months | 18 months |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Explain the blends and barrel use of both wines. When you write "55% new oak," clarify and correct what the percentage refers to.
Check after writing
- Did you describe the differences in supplementary varieties?
- Did you distinguish the proportion aged in barrel from the proportion of new barrels used?
- Was it described as the specification for 2018?
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