Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
(Maipo, Chile) - [JS 98] [F 97] [VM 96] [WE 94] [WS 94] [WA 93]

About the Winery:
Concha y Toro’s history begins in 1883 with our founder’s -Melchor Concha y Toro- dream to create the best wines. A tradition persevered over time, inspiring us to work with passion and excellence in our brands.

Concha y Toro is today the most admired wine brand in the world. Our wines deliver rewarding and unique experiences to our consumers around the world. We are present in over 130 countries.

About the Vineyard:
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.

Tasting Notes:
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 owers. 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.

Food Pairing:
Red meats, especially lamb, and game meats prepared by di•erent methods—roasted, braised, and with sauces made with red wine, mushrooms, rosemary, and tomatoes. Assorted terrines and pâtés, especially duck with tru•es. Dry and well-aged or creamy cow’s and goat’s milk cheeses.

Technical Data

Varietal Composition: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Vineyard: Don Melchor Vineyard, D.O. Puente Alto, Alto Maipo Valley.
Vineyard Description: Nestled at the foot of the Andes Mountains, the Don Melchor Vineyard is located along the north bank of the Maipo River, at an altitude of 650 m.a.s.l. It is composed of 127 hectares: 90% dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon; 7.1% to Cabernet Franc, 1.9% to Merlot, and 1% to Petit Verdot. To date, the vineyard's vines are over 30 years old on average.

Vinification:
Alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks and lasted 8 days at 25º–26ºC with 3 pumpovers per day. Upon completion of the fermentation process, the tank was hermetically sealed for an 8- to 10-day maceration at 23º–25ºC for greater extraction and smoother tannins. At the end of the maceration period, each tank was drained, tasted, and evaluated for selection by the Don Melchor enological and viticultural team. All of the wines were later tasted and selected to make the nal blend, which was then transferred to barrels. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels (72% new and 28% second use).

Aging Potential: Over 35 years.

Ratings & Reviews

98 Points - 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." (Mar 2021)

97 Points - Falstaff: 
"Dark ruby with purple reflections and subtle ochre at the rim. Hints of tobacco, juicy plum, blackcurrant, some tar, red-fruited underpinnings, plus floral nuances. The palate is supple, complex and deep, endowed with cassis aromas and good depth. The fine, ripe tannins are mature, and the wine has an elegant texture, shows backbone and finesse of the classic Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon type, and has great length." (Feb 2023)

96 Points - Vinous Media: 
"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." – Joaquin Hidalgo (Jun 2022)

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast: 
"The nose of this flavorful red opens up with raspberry, cherry, licorice and peppercorn aromas. Well-integrated tannins are smooth and provide a good structure to the palate. Black and red fruit appear alongside dried herbs and vanilla flavors. It has depth and is balanced, with a lingering spiciness on the finish." – Jesica Vargas (Sep 2022)

94 Points - Wine Spectator: 
"This standout red offers svelte entry but quickly accelerates to a rich and well-structured palate, built around flavors of black cherry, plum and baking spices that never waver, gaining dimension from fresh mineral acidity and subtle loam and bay leaf nuances. Ends with rich, well-integrated and mouthcoating tannins as well as hints of cocoa. Drink now through 2028. 11,500 cases made, 4,000 cases imported." - MaryAnn Worobiec (May 2022)

93 Points - Wine Advocate: 
"There is a little more ripeness in the 2019 Don Melchor, which in warmer years shows notes of ripe plums and is subtly balsamic. The palate is round and powerful, with good balance and nice integration of the oak. As usual, there is a combination of elegance and power, with subtle mintiness and harmony. 156,000 bottles were produced. It was bottled in December 2020." – Luis Gutierrez (Aug 2021)