DON MELCHOR Cabernet Sauvignon - Puente Alto 2021 Bottle (Concha y Toro)

Description

The 2021 Don Melchor has received outstanding acclaim, highlighted by 99 points from James Suckling for its complex aromas of ashy graphite, cassis, blackberries, and hints of cigar box and chocolate. He noted its rich, full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a long, intense finish. Vinous awarded it 97 points, describing its dark garnet red colour and pure fruity notes of blackcurrant, alongside hints of black tea and cedar, with an evolving palate that reveals profound layers. Wine Enthusiast scored it 96 points, applauding its elegance and fresh aromas, complemented by silky tannins and nuances of licorice and rosemary. The Wine Advocate rated it 95+ points, praising its classic bouquet and balanced structure, indicating excellent aging potential until 2041 and beyond.

*****

JAMES SUCKLING 99 points
Ashy graphite, cassis, iron, blackberries and a hint of cigar box and chocolate. Lots of violets, too. Rich and intense with a full-bodied palate. Showing density and very fine but structured tannins. Long and intense finish with lots of flavors. 93% cabernet sauvignon, 4% cabernet franc and 3% merlot. One of the best over the last few years. Drinkable now, but will fledge and hold very well in the next 20 years.

VINOUS 97 points
Drinking Window 2026 - 2041
From: Chile: Thinking Outside The Box (Jun 2023)
The 2021 Don Melchor is dark garnet red in the glass. The restrained nose offers pure fruity notes such as blackcurrant with hints of leaves and black tea, refined woody aromas, and gentle touches of plum and red bell pepper. In the mouth, it’s intense with mild juiciness and rounded tannins. The taut palate gradually grows more profound as it develops cedar flavors at the back of the throat before the long, rewarding finish. A wine that is more suggestive than explicit as it slowly envelops you in its different layers. The added freshness brings out the clarity of the fruity flavors. - By Joaquín Hidalgo on March 2023

WINE ENTHUSIAST 96 points
This Cabernet exemplifies the elegance of wines from Puente Alto in the Maipo Valley. Aromas of graphite and perfectly ripe berries emerge from the glass. It offers depth, freshness and silky tannins, providing structure to a balanced mix of fruit and spice. Notes of licorice and rosemary add to its complexity. The savory finish is marked by a lingering hint of tobacco. Drink now through 2038 and beyond. — Jesica Vargas

THE WINE ADVOCATE 95+ points
Reviewed by: Matthew Luczy
Drink Date: 2026 - 2041
The 2021 Don Melchor is, to my palate, the most classic and timeless iteration presented in this vertical. It opens with a well-balanced, composed and textbook bouquet of cigar box, fresh herbs, blackberries and pencil shavings. On the palate, it is sumptuous yet elegant, combining a sleek, refined texture with the soft, gentle richness that is characteristic of this blend. It concludes with a graphite-driven, chiseled finish framed by chocolate-tinged tannins and lasting persistence. It's a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot that spent 15 months in 68% new barrels, the rest second-use.

DECANTER 94 points
Tasted by: Amanda Barnes
Drinking Window: 2024 - 2045
Combining older vines (planted 1979) with new vines from their acclaimed Puente Alto vineyard, this Cabernet Sauvignon blend with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Merlot shows great balance and persistence in this stellar vintage. Long and fine, the nose is redolent of red bramble fruit, forest floor, cedar, exotic spice and a touch of mint.