Montes, Folly Syrah 2020
Product Information
Country Chile
Region Apalta
Grape Variety Syrah
Vintage 2020
ABV 15%
Discover the bold and elegant character of Montes Folly Syrah 2020, a flagship Chilean red wine crafted from a single high-altitude parcel in the renowned Apalta Valley. This limited-production Syrah is grown on the steepest granite slopes of the Finca Apalta vineyard, resulting in exceptional concentration, complexity, and structure.
Vintage Overview
The 2020 vintage saw an exceptionally dry winter, leading to naturally reduced yields, down 15–20% but resulting in superior grape quality. With no spring frosts and a hot summer, the harvest was early. The small berries harvested were rich in colour, flavour, and aroma, producing a wine of remarkable intensity and depth.
Vineyard & Terroir
Sourced from vines planted on 45° granite slopes at the highest point of Finca Apalta, this site enjoys ideal conditions for Syrah cultivation. With thin, well-draining soils, low fertility, and cool ocean breezes despite being 60 km from the coast grape ripening is slow and steady. This promotes full phenolic development while retaining natural acidity. Yields are deliberately low at 3.5–4 tonnes/ha, ensuring premium quality.
Winemaking
Only the best grapes make it into Montes Folly. After a meticulous two-step sorting process (machine and hand), berries undergo cold soaking at 10°C to enhance aroma and colour. Fermentation lasts 12–15 days in stainless steel tanks at 26–29°C. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 18 months in 80% new and 20% seasoned French oak barrels, creating a beautifully integrated, age-worthy red.
Tasting Notes
This Syrah pours a deep ruby-red with violet tints. On the nose, it offers a rich bouquet of ripe blackberries, blueberries, and dark plums, layered with notes of black pepper, leather, sweet spices, and well-integrated oak. Hints of tobacco, vanilla, and toast emerge as it opens. On the palate, it is powerful yet balanced, with velvety tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, expressive finish.
Montes Wines – Premium Chilean Wines from Apalta & Colchagua Valley
Founded in 1987 by winemaker Aurelio Montes and his visionary partners, Montes Winery has become a global symbol of premium Chilean wine. At a time when Chile was little known for high-end wines, their mission was clear: to craft world-class wines that showcased the country's untapped potential.
Shop Premium Wines from Chile’s Top Wine Regions
Montes is a leading name in Chilean viticulture, with vineyards in the renowned Apalta and Colchagua Valley wine regions. The Apalta vineyard, with its rugged slopes and granite-rich, poor soils, proved ideal for low-yield, high-quality grape growing. Aurelio Montes was the first to recognize its potential, turning a once-barren land into one of Chile’s most prestigious wine appellations. In 2018, Apalta officially achieved DO (Denomination of Origin) status—thanks in no small part to Montes' advocacy.
In 2024, Montes became B-Corp Certified, reinforcing their dedication to sustainable winemaking in Chile. They use a proprietary Sustainable Dry Farming irrigation system, cutting water use by 65% while enhancing fruit concentration.
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Montes Folly Syrah
Crafted from the highest, steepest slopes of Apalta, this bold and expressive Chilean Syrah is one of the winery's flagship reds. It is rich, structured, and age-worthy.
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• Montes Alpha Carmenère – Smoky, spicy, and smooth
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Each wine is crafted with minimal intervention, precision irrigation, and a commitment to sustainable viticulture.
