The 2004 Purple Angel is composed of 92% Carmenere (a notoriously fickle grape) and 8% Petit Verdot and spent 18 months in new French oak. This purple-colored wine offers intense toasty blueberry aromas with a hint of green olives in the background. On the palate the wine is thick and rich, with layers of flavor and a long, pure finish. Allow it to evolve for a year or two and drink it through 2020. Over recent years, Montes has been one of the standard-bearers of quality wines from Chile under the leadership of Aurelio Montes. The lineup is top-notch from entry level to top-of-the-line.Importer: TGIC Importers, Woodland Hills, CA; tel. (800) 924-0030

A bit pumped up with flashy toast, but shows solid raspberry and blackberry fruit, with mocha, tobacco and mineral notes on the long, nicely integrated finish. Drink now through 2008. 2,000 cases made, 1,200 cases imported.??–JM??Region: Chile / Central Valley-Chile / Rapel / Colchagua Valley Select to Add

Bold and serious Carmenere at the highest level of extraction and price is what Purple Angel from Montes is all about. The nose has earth, tobacco and plenty of oak, while the raspberry, red plum and licorice flavors that characterize the palate make themselves noticed. A tiny bit of green pepper and vanilla on the finish sing to the varietal and the barrel. With 8% Petit Verdot.——M.S.(9/1/2007)—— 89