The 1980’s will be remembered for many things: questionable fashions, great pop music, and for us wine geeks, the 1987 debut vintage of Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon. One of Chile’s most iconic and awarded wines, it didn’t take long for Don Melchor to captivate the wine world; the 1988 vintage was the first Chilean wine recognized by Wine Spectator as one of the Top 100 Wines of the World. It has been honored on this prestigious list nine times, including three times in the coveted Top 10.
I’ll confess that I was unaware of Don Melchor’s impressive pedigree when I first tasted the wine several years ago. I approached the wine with no expectations and was authentically swept away by Don Melchor’s beauty, complexity, and drinkability. It is truly a personal favorite. Its many accolades are certainly well-deserved, but at the end of the day the wine has to speak for itself and Don Melchor is poetry in a bottle.
“For me, Don Melchor represents the constant search for the best expression of every vine in the vineyard in order to achieve the beauty of balance of the Puente Alto terroir in every vintage."
Enrique Tirado, Winemaker
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Don Melchor’s winemaker, Enrique Tirado. Our tasting featured the current 30th anniversary 2017 vintage, the inaugural 1987 vintage, and several others spanning three decades. It was quite a journey through time. The wines had evolved beautifully and while each expressed the peculiarities of that particular vintage, they shared an enduring freshness and balance.
image courtesy of Don Melchor
“Don Melchor is not a single Cabernet Sauvignon, but multiple expressions,” said Enrique. He isn’t speaking metaphorically but literally: their historic Puente Alto vineyard at the foot of the Andes Mountains is grouped into seven blocks that are further divided into more than 150 parcels. Each parcel offers a unique expression that varies from year to year. Enrique methodically selects from these parcels to create a complex but harmonious tapestry of wine.
Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 ($120) blends Cabernet Sauvignon (98%) with a kiss of Cabernet Franc (2%). Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, it has rich red berry flavors that are accented by subtle hints of spice and earth. A bold red, Don Melchor certainly has heft but its signature freshness and vitality keep it graceful and elegant. For the Cabernet Sauvignon lovers in your life, Don Melchor is a gift that is certain to wow them. Santa, if you’re reading this, I’ve been pretty good this year, por favor put a bottle of Don Melchor in my stocking!
If you're planning a visit to Chile, Don Melchor welcomes guests for their Collectors Experience, which includes a tour of the grounds, cellar, and tasting.