It was way back in 1987 when Concha y Toro introduced the Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon. Since then it has been nothing but accolades for this iconic wine. Wine Spectator Top 100 lists and high 90’s point scores follow it. Discerning connoisseurs do as well. This is about as good as it gets, and it stands among the elite group of South American wines that compete with the best the world has to offer.
We’ve reviewed several vintages of Don Melchor in the past, and here we’ll take a look at the 2017 version. Some years there is more oak and some years less. This year it is just right. Let’s see what’s in the bottle.
Wine: 2017 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery Location: Chile
Tasted By: Neil & Cheri Date: November 2021
Tasting Notes: This vintage is a dark ruby color. It sports a nose of berry fruit, oak (subtle and well integrated), some herbal and spice notes, a hint of smoke and a touch of cherry. Throw in a little orange peel. This is really complex. Full bodied on the palate, the tannins are medium+. The wine has a nice energy and balance, and finishes extremely long. This received high scores from many critics, and it is well deserved.
Price Point – Around $110, more or less depending on where you look.
Would We Buy It? – we did actually. This was a bottle from our cellar. If you’re going to spend $100 on a bottle this is a good one. We paid less on a great sale (otherwise we probably wouldn’t have splurged, as $100 is our self-imposed cap).
We have really enjoyed Don Melchor over the last few years. This is probably my favorite vintage to date.
A votre santé!
[…] Chile has gained an excellent and well deserved reputation for fine wine over the past few decades, as more people around the world come to appreciate the quality and value that this country’s wine industry offers. There are many different wine grapes grown here, and major international varietals play a leading role. Carmenere, once thought to be a poor quality Merlot clone, is actually a fine varietal and reaches impressive heights here. Additional familiar grapes include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir. Perhaps the varietal which has thrived beyond all others though is Cabernet Sauvignon. Chile makes world class Cabernet Sauvignon, and we have reviewed many in the past. Don Melchor, the iconic Cabernet Sauvignon from Concha y Toro, is a perpetual high 90 point score wine and a fixture on Wines of the Year lists. You can read our review of the last vintage here. […]