Montes has been one of the top producers in Chile for over 30 years. Shooting into international prominence in 1988 when their first exported wine Montes Alpha wowed the world over, they have been the standard-bearer of Chilean fine wine ever since.

Their flagship Purple Angel represents a new level of quality and finesse for Chile's most planted grape variety, Carménère. Much like with Malbec in Argentina, Carménère has found a home in South America, with producers like Montes creating unique, world-class wine from it.

The newly released Montes Purple Angel 2018 may be one of the best vintages ever. Scoring a huge 97 points from Tim Atkin MW, and supported with 93 points from Vinous, Atkin praises it for having a 'lighter touch' that has turned it from a wine he 'admired' into one that he would 'actively want to drink' - seriously high praise from such a experienced critic.

Sourced from the vineyards of Finca de Apalta and El Arcángel de Marchigüe in the beautiful Colchagua Valley, the sites benefit from a balanced exposure to the sun, as well as a long, slow and even ripening process by virtue of their proximity to the Pacific ocean. The result wine is 'fine, detailed, focused' with subtle wood notes, from 18 months of ageing in new French oak barrels, there is enough acidity to provide 'engaging freshness' (TA).

Released at just £255 per case IB and already with the prestige of being one of the most well respected wines from Chile, the Montes Purple Angel 2018 truly seems to be a step up from previous vintages.