* Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Merlot 2000
Tasted BTG. Plum and herbs on the palate with a slightly medicinal note. Very pleasant and should improve a bit more. WS 89 and that is a good guess. (€24)

Good read on this one. I've been buying this since 1994 and it seems best about 4-5 years. One of my favorites for the money. Have you had other vintages??

No, I had several Chilean Merlots (Montes and others) but not the Cuvee Alexandre. It was probably the best one.

Have you had the Montes Alpha Cabernet? The 1999 just appeared at one of the local stores. Minor research says it should be good QPR at $14? Any info?

No, unfortunately I had the '98, which I found better than its 83 point rating - maybe 85-86. The '99 was given 89 pts by WS. $14 seems to be a good price, Montes Alpha goes generally by €/$16.

Just tasted this wine, as well as all the Cuvee Alexander bottlings, at vinexpo in NYC today. Very nice Merlot and worthy of the 89pts. The Apalta (65% Merlot 35% Cab) was even more impressive.

jb

I travel to Chile 2-3 times per year on business and always take advantage to taste as many wines as I can. I am a big fan of Casa Lapostolle. The Merlots get a brighter spotlight given Michel Rolland's high merlot (Bordeaux Right bank) profile, but the Cuvee Alexandre Cabs are usually as good and sometimes better. The 1999 Clos Apalta though, is out of this world. It is one of the best Chilean wines I've ever tatsed (along with the 1999 Montes M. It is a fruit bomb. The only drawback: it's stiff $60 price tag. WS gave it a 92. Pierre Rovani gave it a 91. I would give it a 94.

Pelochain;
Couldn't agree more on the '99 Clos Apalta...I think Pinot Envy would agree, too.