Concha Y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor 2005

Don Melchor was hailed the best Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile by both the Wine Spectator and Robert Parker. Named after the founder of the winery, Don Melchor de Concha y Toro, the wine has become a symbol of the best the land and the winemaker's hand can produce in Chile. The Puente Alto Vineyard in the Maipo Valley has the perfect combination of climate and soils for producing world-class wine: the climate is ideal and predictable, and the soil is poor and gravelly to reduce yields and increase concentration naturally. After fermentation, the wine is matured in the finest French oak barriques read more...for 14 months, followed by another year in the bottle before release. Ripe fleshy fruit and berries lead off this highly aromatic wine. Later, the tobacco and chocolate come through and marry with the vanilla. Agreeable, mature tannins elegantly convey the best expression of the Puente Alto vines. The pleasant, long finish displays great harmony and balance.    (hide)

Wine Spectator rating: 96

Rating: 96/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator ReviewRated 96Still very tight, but the tannins that lead the way now are sleek and refined and should easily meld into the huge core of roasted chestnut, black currant paste, warm fig and tar. Has a long, coffee- and loam-tinged finish. Best from 2009 through 2019.Wine Tasting NotesRipe fleshy fruit and berries lead off this highly aromatic wine. Later, the tobacco and chocolate come through and marry with the vanilla. Agreeable, mature tannins elegantly convey the best expression of the Puente Alto vines. The pleasant, long finish displays great harmony and balance. The result read more...is a rich, full-bodied wine with unmistakable character in the bouquet and on the finish. Drink with any hearty dish, lamb, steak, and strong cheeses.    (hide)

January 2009

A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc from 20 year old vines from the vineyard Puente Alto which is in the highest, coolest region of the Maipo Valley. Wine Speculator gave this wine 96 points. $54 US. This wine This wine spends 14 months in French oak (60% new and 40% used) and an additional 12 months in bottle before release. This wine was very typical for a Cab and frankly I wasn't too impressed. It could have been made in California for all I know, I was just expecting a lot more individuality considering this was suppose to be one of the best Chilean reds on the market. Definitely read more...a crowd pleaser for the Napa Cab crowd but lacking the pizazz and personality of truly great wines. Who knows maybe it was an off bottle... I just think its overrated. 2.5/5    (hide)

September 2008

Still very tight, but the tannins that lead the way now are sleek and refined, and should easily meld into the huge core of roasted chestnut, black currant paste, warm fig and tar. Has a long, coffee- and loam-tinged finish. Best from 2009 through 20... Wine Spectator. A Cabernet Sauvignon wine from Maipo in Chile. 2005 Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Vineyard 750ml

February 2009