Montes 'Muse' Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Montes ‘Muse’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 - Alto Maipo, Chile

Producer's Notes: 

This Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 has a characteristic deep ruby-red colour, with very delicate and elegant aromas dominated by ripe red berries, such as strawberry and plum, with some red currant , as well as crème de cassis and cherry syrup. Its time spent in oak barrels adds notes of tobacco, dulce de leche, and mocha, all well balanced with the fruit profile. The tannins are very smooth and in line with the purity of the aromas. The wine is vibrant and broad, but balanced at the same time, showing complexity and a long finish. 

What we say:

Elegant, polished and deeply expressive, ‘Muse’ is Aurelio Montes’ tribute to the women who inspired and supported him throughout his life, and it marks a return to his roots in the Alto Maipo, where he first discovered the potential of Chilean fine wine. The 2019 opens with intense blackcurrant, blackberry and red berry fruit, layered with violet, tobacco, cedar, mocha, black pepper and a subtle earthy, truffle-like complexity. The palate is medium to full-bodied and remarkably refined, with ultra-fine tannins, fresh acidity and a long, poised finish that feels more about elegance and detail than sheer power.

Sourced from a hillside site in Buin, Maipo Alto, on alluvial terraces shaped by the Maipo River, the vineyard sits on well-drained, low-fertility soils with clay, silt, sand and stones that help control vine vigour and preserve finesse. The 2019 was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, with around 70% first-use oak and 30% second-use oak, adding structure and polish while allowing the wine’s classic Maipo Cabernet character to lead. Production was tiny - around 6,000 bottles - and interestingly, this was the first vintage released through La Place de Bordeaux, a global marketplace for fine wines - which indicates a level of prestige only achieved by the best of the best.

Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc

Style: Red – Full-bodied, polished, structured, age-worthy

Drink Window: Now – 2036+

Perfect For: Beef tenderloin, lamb, grilled steak, rich mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

Critic Scores:

98 points - James Suckling
94 points - Vinous

A beautifully refined Chilean Cabernet - dark, perfumed and impeccably structured, with all the depth of Maipo but a level of polish that makes it feel genuinely special.