99 points James Suckling: "Fantastic aromas of blackcurrants and other dark fruit with crushed stone, iron and oysters, following through to a full body that shows incredible energy and depth, offering ripe yet fresh fruit, together with bright herbs and earth. Precision and balance of the intensity of the vintage. Layered. Perhaps the greatest Don Melchor ever made. Try after 2022. (3/2/20)"
95 points Wine Spectator: "[$120 list] Suave, complex and elegant, with fine-grained tannins supporting the dried cherry, red plum and currant flavors. Cedar and forest floor notes show midpalate, leading to a long finish of cocoa powder and baker's chocolate details, accented by hints of apple wood smoke and white pepper. Drink now through 2032. (5/31/20)"
94+ points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "[$120 list] Marking its 30th anniversary, the 2017 Don Melchor was produced 30 years after the initial 1987. This is a wine that transcends vintages and shows great regularity, always combining elegance and power, with subtle mintiness and superb elegance. It's juicy, textured and velvety. This is a superb showing in 2017, a warm year and a fresh wine. Bravo! Drink: 2020-2027. (Feb 2020)"
94 points JoaquÃn Hidalgo (Vinous): "Don Melchor 2017 contains 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Franc, both from Maipo Alto. This earlier harvest resulted in precise, intense doses of cassis, raspberry and blackberry jam sprinkled with spices and country herbs. A young wine, the tannic structure bodes well for the future even with the moderate freshness. Drink: 2020-2034. (Mar 2020)"
94 points Tim Atkin, MW: "(14.5%). An unusually hot vintage like 2017 is arguably not best suited to this most elegant and Bordeaux-like of Chilean reds. Made from a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc (with no place for Merlot or Petit Verdot this year), it's a ripe, concentrated style with lots of toasty oak, plush, almost exotic cassis and blackberry fruit and some supporting acidity on the finish. 2022-27. (2020)"
94 points/'#6 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2020,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$120 list] A full, spicy nose is packed to the brim with smoky, toasty oak and earthy black-fruit aromas. A ripe, full and chewy palate is smooth in feel, while this classic Cabernet from Puente Alto in the Maipo Valley tastes of coffee, rich chocolate, toasty spices and blackberry. A lush, bold finish runs long, indicating that this will age well. Hold through 2040. Alcohol 14.5%. (May 2020)"
94 points Wine & Spirits: "[$120 list] Don Melchor, named for the founder of Concha y Toro, is based on a single parcel on a terrace above the north bank of the Maipo River. With this 2017, it’s now a stand-alone brand, led by winemaker Enrique Tirado and his team. The wine is a cool, black currant–scented classic from the Andean highlands, a powerful cabernet with quiet, Chilean restraint. The care of its farming shows in the detailed earthy tannins, which time in oak transformed into textural finesse. Top vintages from Puente Alto develop over the course of two decades or more, and this one should age beautifully. (Apr 2020)"
95 points Wine Spectator: "[$120 list] Suave, complex and elegant, with fine-grained tannins supporting the dried cherry, red plum and currant flavors. Cedar and forest floor notes show midpalate, leading to a long finish of cocoa powder and baker's chocolate details, accented by hints of apple wood smoke and white pepper. Drink now through 2032. (5/31/20)"
94+ points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "[$120 list] Marking its 30th anniversary, the 2017 Don Melchor was produced 30 years after the initial 1987. This is a wine that transcends vintages and shows great regularity, always combining elegance and power, with subtle mintiness and superb elegance. It's juicy, textured and velvety. This is a superb showing in 2017, a warm year and a fresh wine. Bravo! Drink: 2020-2027. (Feb 2020)"
94 points JoaquÃn Hidalgo (Vinous): "Don Melchor 2017 contains 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Franc, both from Maipo Alto. This earlier harvest resulted in precise, intense doses of cassis, raspberry and blackberry jam sprinkled with spices and country herbs. A young wine, the tannic structure bodes well for the future even with the moderate freshness. Drink: 2020-2034. (Mar 2020)"
94 points Tim Atkin, MW: "(14.5%). An unusually hot vintage like 2017 is arguably not best suited to this most elegant and Bordeaux-like of Chilean reds. Made from a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc (with no place for Merlot or Petit Verdot this year), it's a ripe, concentrated style with lots of toasty oak, plush, almost exotic cassis and blackberry fruit and some supporting acidity on the finish. 2022-27. (2020)"
94 points/'#6 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2020,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$120 list] A full, spicy nose is packed to the brim with smoky, toasty oak and earthy black-fruit aromas. A ripe, full and chewy palate is smooth in feel, while this classic Cabernet from Puente Alto in the Maipo Valley tastes of coffee, rich chocolate, toasty spices and blackberry. A lush, bold finish runs long, indicating that this will age well. Hold through 2040. Alcohol 14.5%. (May 2020)"
94 points Wine & Spirits: "[$120 list] Don Melchor, named for the founder of Concha y Toro, is based on a single parcel on a terrace above the north bank of the Maipo River. With this 2017, it’s now a stand-alone brand, led by winemaker Enrique Tirado and his team. The wine is a cool, black currant–scented classic from the Andean highlands, a powerful cabernet with quiet, Chilean restraint. The care of its farming shows in the detailed earthy tannins, which time in oak transformed into textural finesse. Top vintages from Puente Alto develop over the course of two decades or more, and this one should age beautifully. (Apr 2020)"
| Product SKU | 344756 |
| Producer | Concha y Toro |
| Country | Chile |
| Region | Central Valley |
| SubRegion | Maipo Valley |
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | 14.5% |
| Ships To |
