One of the standout producers of Chile, Don Melchor is an iconic, ultra-premium brand created by Viña Concha y Toro and has consistently been one of Chile’s top wines year in and year out. The winery is named after Chilean wine pioneer, Melchor Concha y Toro who helped bring the noble French varieties from Bordeaux to be planted in the Maipo Valley in 1883 and laid the foundations of what is now Viña Concha y Toro. Famed winemaker Enrique Tirado has had a great career at Viña Concha y Toro before becoming head winemaker of Viña Concha y Toro’s top labels in 1997, including the company’s icon wine, Don Melchor.
This thrilling wine has shown incredible consistency and I have been blown away with the new wine, the 2016 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 96) which is dense, chewy and has incredible richness and terroir. This is one for any serious collector of new world Cabernet Sauvignon. Learn more about this famed Chilean estate at http://www.donmelchor.com/ Here are the wines of Don Melchor.
2013 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2013 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon is utterly compelling at the six year mark. This scintillating and thrilling wine shows insanely good aromatic range from bright red fruits to teaberry and cloves alongside red bell pepper, anise and creme de cassis that all take their shape in the glass. The palate reveals a wonderfully opulent texture as the silky smooth tannins deftly glide across the mid-palate. Deep dark fruits collide with mocha, tar, anise and shades of blueberry compote on the palate. Thrilling wine now, this will evolve well for decades. Drink 2019-2038- 97
2016 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon-The smoky and earthy undertones are lovely which collect momentum with the green bell pepper, tar and black licorice aromatics that all take shape in the glass. The palate is plush, unveiling a silky mouthfeel that entices. Black tea, Asian spices, sweet pipe tobacco and rich dark fruits all collide on the palate. The freshness imparted here is really excellent. Dense and layered, with tremendous nerve and tension, this stunning wine will cellar well for two decades. Drink 2020-2038-96