About this wine
Montes' landmark Syrah from steep hillside terraces at Apalta in Colchagua. Named a 'folly' for its impossibly steep vineyard, it produces a world-class Chilean Syrah.
Northern Rhône character at a fraction of the price — dark fruit, black pepper, and electric acidity from impossibly steep hillside vines.
Sommelier's Note
"Chile's most compelling Syrah — dark, savory, electric with Apalta hillside tension."
Food Pairings
Grilled lamb chops, slow-braised beef short ribs, game meats such as venison, and hard-aged cheeses. Japanese pairings: sukiyaki with fatty wagyu, grilled Hokkaido lamb, and miso-braised wild boar.
When to drink it
A special dinner with grilled meats, a cellar-worthy gift, or a South American wine exploration evening.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Syrah
- Style
- Red
- Price Range
- ¥12,000–18,000
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Syrah from 45-degree terraced hillside vineyards in Apalta, Colchagua Valley. Hand-harvested. Aged 14 months in French oak barriques (225L). Alcohol ~14.5%. All farming and harvesting done entirely by hand due to extreme slope gradient.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Montes Folly called a 'folly'?
- The wine is named a folly because Aurelio Montes planted Syrah on 45-degree terraced slopes in Apalta that were considered unworkable — the back-breaking effort proved critics wrong by producing one of Chile's greatest wines.
- How does Montes Folly compare to Northern Rhône Syrah?
- It shares the Northern Rhône's savory, meaty character and freshness rather than the ripe fruit of warm-climate Syrah; the high-altitude terraces provide the cool nights that give the wine its signature tension.
- When is the best time to drink Montes Folly?
- It is best from 8–15 years after the vintage when tannins integrate and complex tobacco and spice notes emerge; young bottles benefit greatly from 2 hours of decanting.
- What food pairs best with Montes Folly?
- Grilled lamb chops, slow-cooked beef short ribs, and game meats bring out the wine's rich spice and dark fruit. In Japan, sukiyaki with fatty wagyu and miso-braised wild boar are outstanding matches.
- Is Montes Folly good value among the world's great Syrahs?
- At its price point it consistently matches wines costing two to three times more from other regions, making it one of the best value-to-quality ratios among the world's great Syrahs.
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