Montes Cherub Rosé of Syrah 2008

We found this wonderful bottle of rosé on our latest trip around Lake Balaton. We bought it at Soma Pince in Alsóörs, a sister company of Bortársaság. The label was the first thing to catch my eye: up there, in the upper right-hand corner dances a spirited little cherub called Alfredo (named after the founding partner of the Montes winery, Alfredo Vidaurre) designed by noted illustrator, Ralph Steadman. Remembering the wonderful labels of Picasso and Dali, my heart pulls toward artist-illustrated labels and so I strapped this wine to the back of my bike and continued pedaling uphill...

A Chilean wine from the Viña Montes winery in the Colchagua Valley, it lays just 18 kilometers from the ocean, which, according to the owner, is the perfect place for producing a lovely, ripe rosé. Made from 100% Syrah, the first thing you notice is its bright, vibrant cherry-pink color. The illuminating color has practically become a trademark of this rosé. But don’t let its fun, cherry-drink color or screw top cap fool you! This is a very serious rosé. Its qualities, especially its dry tannins, resemble a red wine more than anything else. It starts with a nose of raspberry jam and strawberries and opens up to flavors reminiscent of orange peel, strawberry, and spices. Ripe, fresh, crisp, and well-balanced, with distinct varietal character. Its perfect texture leads through to a wonderfully long, satisfying finish.

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