2005 Montes Merlot Special Cuvee Colchagua Valley Chile. Seven Seas Voyager. Deep red color, deep hue, intense aroma of merlot fruit with strong spice notes and a hint of earth, remarkably smooth fruit flavors with that same intense pepper note, well blended and soft on the palate with just a bit of oak, medium mouth feel, soft tannins, long, long finish with great fruit notes, that surprising black pepper note and hints of earth and minerals. EGA more intense than aroma of the wine. 4*.
This wine showed beautifully tonight. It was a perfect match with a rare tuna medallion and also with a veal wiener schnizel served with green peas, carrots in cream and parsley potatoes. The spice and lovely Merlot fruit set off both dishes brilliantly.
Notes: I don't see this wine listed on the Montes website at http://www.monteswines.com/ and the Special Cuvee doesn't show up on Wine Searcher Pro. Perhaps it was bottled for Seven Seas, which has an excellent wine program, both on board and ashore, with some very good prices and deliveries to most states.