Professional Ratings
- 99 Points – James Suckling
- 98 Points – Wine Spectator
- 98 Points – Vinous
- 97 Points – Wine Advocate (Robert Parker)
- 97 Points – Wine Enthusiast
Review
Widely regarded as Chile's benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon, Don Melchor 2021 is sourced from the famed Puente Alto vineyard at the foot of the Andes. Aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, violet, graphite, cedar, and tobacco lead to a remarkably refined palate. Layers of dark fruit, cocoa, crushed stone, and savory herbs are framed by silky tannins, vibrant freshness, and exceptional precision. The acclaimed 2021 vintage combines power, elegance, and remarkable aging potential.
Professional Assessment
Strengths
- One of the highest-rated South American wines of the vintage.
- Exceptional balance between concentration and finesse.
- Signature Puente Alto graphite minerality and freshness.
- Capable of aging 20+ years.
Overall Verdict
98/100 — World-Class. A stunning Cabernet Sauvignon that rivals the finest wines of Napa and Bordeaux, showcasing extraordinary depth, complexity, and longevity.
James Suckling 100 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 97Points
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.
Wine Spectator 96Points
A remarkable effort that channels the finesse of the vintage with rich, muscular edges, offering a base of graphite and cassis notes that gather around elegant layers of dried rosemary and white pepper. The richly textured core of raspberry and plum flavors show precision and just enough acidity to keep things sailing onto the finish around well-integrated tannins and touches of cocoa. Best from 2026 through 2040.
Decanter 94Points
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.
Winemaker Notes
This deep purple-coloured wine is aromatically very expressive, complex and intense with red fruit and berry aromas and floral notes of violets. It fills the mouth, displaying depth throughout, with a smooth entry, great energy and breadth and a long, expressive finish. With its elegant mouthfeel, this wine showcases harmony, depth and elegance.
