Aurelio Montes’ intuition led him to plant Syrah on the steepest hillsides of our mountainous Apalta property—and that is how the name, Folly, came about. The more traditional winemakers and marketers thought it was sheer madness. Syrah had never been planted in the region, and it was doubly mad to plant it on such steep hillsides where it was so expensive to clear the land, plant the vines, and tend the grapes. But Aurelio’s genius led us to firmly believe, right from the beginning, that Montes Folly would be the spectacular wine we all dreamed of—the perfect companion for our much-loved Montes Alpha M.
The grapes for Montes Folly grow on the steepest hillsides of our Finca de Apalta, where the vines have best adapted. There they reach a good balance between vegetative expression and crop load, resulting in low yields with highly concentrated grapes. This year’s grapes were leisurely picked between March 27 and April 23.
The 2011–2012 season presented very scant rain due to the “La Niña” phenomenon. The spring was very cold but frost-free, which was perfect for optimal foliage growth, flowering, fruit set, and cluster definition. The summer was dry and clear, without the cold and cloudy days of the previous season.
Veraison began in mid-January, which was a bit earlier than in the previous season, basically due to the predominance of warm and clear summer days. There was no precipitation during the rest of the season, although there were spikes in temperature with highs in February and March that accelerated the ripening process somewhat.
Montes Folly is a deep purplish ruby red in color. Aromatically it is very complex and potent without losing elegance. Ripe red and blue berries predominate on the nose with a seductive pastry note. 18 months in new French oak barrels lend interesting notes of coffee, chocolate, and very well-integrated toast that allows the fruit to be perceived in a colossal way. The palate reaffirms the aromatic sensations with light notes of dairy and nutmeg. Well balanced with very round tannins, tremendous structure, and a very long finish.
Montes Folly has consistently been recognized as one of Chile’s finest Syrahs.
Food Pairing:
Highly recommended with red meats, lamb, veal, and pork chops.
Alcohol: 15.8%
Total Acidity: 3.80 g/lt.
Residual Sugar: 3.38 g/lt.
pH: 3.52
One of Chile's ripest, most full-bodied Syrahs needs more time to fully strut its stuff. Aromas of graphite and coconut are prominent on a lush, boldly fruited bouquet. A highly concentrated palate allows for deep digging, while flavors of blackberry, black plum and raw oak turn savory and spicy as this breathes. An inky, powerful finish is appropriate. Drink through 2022. - Wine Enthusiast Magazine 93 Points
Deeply flavored, rich and intense, with concentrated flavors of dark plum, raspberry, blackberry and chocolate mousse. Well-structured, featuring a long finish that oozes Asian spice and notes of hot stone and white pepper. Drink now through 2020. 500 cases imported.–KM - Wine Spectator Magazine 93 Points
Opaque ruby. Heady, oak-spiced blackberry, cherry-vanilla, violet and incense scents show excellent clarity and a hint of smokiness. Supple and broad on the palate, offering deeply concentrated dark berry preserve, vanilla and floral pastille flavors and a suggestion of mocha. Closes with powerful spicy thrust, an echo of juicy blue fruit and velvety tannins that come in late. This flamboyant wine reminded me quite a bit of a high-end Barossa Shiraz.- Josh Raynolds - Vinous Media 93 Points
Even the Syrah, the 2012 Montes Folly, felt a little mainstream and shy -- not really showing much varietal character when poured. There is ripe fruit, black rather than red, and some balsamic aromas, quite oaky; after all, it spent 18 months in wood. The palate is full-bodied, juicy and round, warm with glossy tannins and a sweet, fruit-driven finish. 30,000 bottles produced. - Robert Parker 90 Points
