Description
After more than 30 years, Don Melchor has reached a solid position that enables it to face new challenges, highlighting its maturity and ability to express its own identity through Viña Don Melchor.
This identity is built upon a base of three fundamental pillars—its impeccable heritage and history, the peerless conditions of its terroir, and the deep understanding and expertise in the making of the Don Melchor wine.
Meticulous research, careful study and the painstaking dedication of winemakers have seen these 127 hectares divided into seven parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller parcels of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
Each of these is then precisely subdivided into micro-parcels, so that every detail and characteristic can be managed, with winegrowers responding to the needs of each area, each row, each vine.
When the factors that affect the vines, from soil composition and root growth to nutrients, water retention and temperature change, are perfectly managed they ultimately influence the unique expressions of each wine.
Puente Alto is a privileged terroir, determined by the singular combination of soil, climate conditions, the vineyard, and a delicate human touch to craft vintages that are a faithful expression of this special place. Located at the foot of the Andes, 650 metres above sea level, the Don Melchor winery is set on the north bank of the Maipo River and has long been a keystone in the history of Chilean wine. Ever since French pre-phylloxera vines were imported in the mid-19th Century, this part of the Maipo Valley has been growing in prestige and quality, building on a past rich in tradition.
The vineyard today consists of 127 hectares, carefully divided into seven parcels, of which roughly 90 per cent hold Cabernet Sauvignon vines, with 7.1 per cent Cabernet Franc, 1.9 per cent Merlot and the final one 1 per cent growing Petit Verdot grapes. The Cabernet Sauvignon vines average more than 30 years of age and correspond to a selection originally brought over from Bordeaux at the end of the 19th Century.
Deep purplish-red in color. The wine from this vintage shows an extraordinary elegance with an abundance of fresh red fruit and notes of blackcurrants and flowers. On the palate it has an enormous wealth of flavors, with breadth from beginning to end, and plenty of energy in perfect balance with the elegance of the textures and flavors.
Renowned US critic gave an outstanding review of the vintage in his last report.
Concha y Toro’s Don Melchor brand has added another accolade to its consistent trajectory. In his latest report, prominent wine critic James Suckling gave the Don Melchor 2019 vintage a 98-point score after tasting over 1,000 wines from Chile.
“Very scented and aromatic with black currant, sweet tobacco, and a Spanish cedar character. Full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins give it structure on the palate and bring fruit and other flavors for a lasting finish. More refined than the perfect 2018 and almost as convincing,” details Suckling.
This recognition reaffirms the solid trajectory already carved by Chile’s first iconic wine. Don Melchor’s 2019, 2018, and 2017 vintages have the three highest scores ever given by James Suckling to a bottle of Chilean wine.
Don Melchor winemaker and technical director Enrique Tirado made this vintage with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the Puente Alto terroir in the Alto Maipo Valley, which is an intense cherry red color with tremendous aromatic complexity and a great expression of fruit. It is highly concentrated and persistent on the palate and fresh, with soft, fine, delicate tannins and an excellent balance.
More refined than even the perfect previous vintage. Very perfumed and aromatic with blackcurrant, sweet tobacco, and Spanish-cedar character. Full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that build on the palate and take the fruit and other flavors to an endless finish.
Critical Acclaim
JS98
James Suckling
Very perfumed and aromatic with blackcurrant, sweet-tobacco and Spanish-cedar character. Full-bodied with ultra fine tannins that build on the palate and take the fruit and other flavors to an endless finish. More refined than the perfect 2018 and almost as compelling. Drink in 2023 or after.
V96
Vinous
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor is also 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot and spent 15 months in 75% new French barrels. Vivid garnet in color. The rich, complex nose presents notes of black currant, mint, and hints of balsam and ash over a bed of oak and a whiff of cedar. In the mouth, hefty volume, fine-grained tannins and a broad expression combine, supported by a structure that is rather delicate for a wine of this intensity. The long-lasting finish ends with an aftertaste of fruit and mint before the oak has the final say. This will grow in the bottle.
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