Having caught the Montes bug again, I decided to compare the Alpha Montes 2005 Cab against the 2006 Classic Series I enjoyed last night. The 2005 Alpha certainly has more assertive tannins than the 2006 Classic Series, with opposing fruit acidity of black raspberries and plums. One detects cocoa, nutmeg and oak char in this wine, even a slight flavor of barbeque with a vinegar-rich sauce. The vegetal quality in this Cab is lemongrass and artichoke, a mix of astringent green anisette and rich, buttery mouthfeel. While the more fruit-forward 2006 is all green beans and milk chocolate, the 2005 is avocado and dark chocolate. While the 2006 presents a palate of lingonberry syrup, the 2005 is sour cherry and a a port-stewed bartlett pear studded with cloves. While the Alpha's aggresive fruit is definitely New World the finish is actually more reminscent of a St. Estephe.