The 2005 Alpha Merlot offers an attractive nose of cedar, spice box, cassis, and black cherry. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied with plenty of ripe fruit and good depth. The finish is medium long and pure. Drink this tasty Merlot over the next 4-6 years. 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

Good medium-weight mix of plum, briar and sweet vanilla and toast notes, with a juicy finish that fleshes out nicely in the glass. 15 percent Carmenere. Drink now. 30,000 cases made. -JM