Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 — professional ratings
The 2022 Don Melchor from Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, Chile has received an exceptionally strong set of professional scores. The producer’s current ratings list is consistent with the major critics below.
| Critic / Publication |
Score |
Style of assessment |
| James Suckling |
99/100 |
Superb density, polished tannins, cassis, blackcurrant and graphite; very long finish |
| The Drinks Business — Patrick Schmitt MW |
99/100 |
Rated the top wine in his 2025 Chile tasting |
| Jeb Dunnuck |
97/100 |
Gorgeous, richly textured, layered, balanced and full-bodied |
| Vinous — Joaquín Hidalgo |
97/100 |
Energetic, nuanced and precise, with excellent tannin and freshness |
| Descorchados — Patricio Tapia |
97/100 |
High-energy, fine and precise; ranked among the best Cabernet Sauvignons |
| Tim Atkin MW |
97/100 |
Highly rated Chilean Cabernet |
| Wine Enthusiast |
95/100 |
Excellent structure and energized acidity |
| Wine Spectator |
95/100 |
Elegant, nuanced and concentrated; Collectible |
| The Wine Advocate |
94+/100 |
Dark-fruited, velvety and graphite-driven, with considerable structure |
| Jancis Robinson |
18/20 |
Very high-quality wine on the 20-point scale |
The producer's published ratings corroborate the 99 Suckling, 97 Vinous, 96 Alistair Cooper MW, 96 La CAV, 95 Wine Enthusiast, 95 Descorchados, 94+ Wine Advocate, 99 Drinks Business, 97 Tim Atkin, 97 Descorchados, 95 Wine Spectator, 95 Adega and 18 Jancis Robinson scores.
What the critics are saying
James Suckling — 99: Probably the standout score. He emphasizes blackcurrant, cassis and graphite, describing the wine as full-bodied with exceptionally polished tannins and a very long, compact finish. He recommends giving it additional bottle age, suggesting after 2028.
Jeb Dunnuck — 97: Sees a particularly successful combination of richness and freshness. The wine is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, and was aged 15 months in French oak, 72% new. He calls it "simply a gorgeous wine."
Vinous — 97: Particularly interesting for lovers of classic Maipo Cabernet. Hidalgo highlights currant, blackberry, ash, mint and floral notes, with precise tannins and a more nuanced, energetic character than some richer Don Melchor vintages.
Wine Spectator — 95: Praises the wine's elegance and concentration, emphasizing blackberry, cassis, fresh thyme and saline-edged acidity. Importantly, it designated the wine "Collectible" and gives it a drinking window through 2040.
The Wine Advocate — 94+: Matthew Luczy found dark fruit, tobacco leaf, dried herbs, graphite and dark chocolate, with a velvety palate and taut, chewy tannins. His review suggests the wine benefits significantly from time in the glass and bottle.
Overall assessment
My take: 2022 is an outstanding, age-worthy Don Melchor, roughly a 97-point consensus wine. The particularly impressive aspect is the agreement among critics: even the more conservative scores are 94+–95, while several influential critics are at 97–99.
It appears to be a cooler, more elegant and energetic expression rather than simply a massive, fruit-driven Cabernet. Expect blackcurrant/cassis, blackberry, graphite, tobacco, herbs, subtle floral notes, firm but polished tannins and excellent acidity.
Drinking: I'd personally treat 2028–2040+ as the sweet spot if you have the patience. It can certainly be opened now with substantial aeration, but the critics consistently indicate that this is a wine with significant aging potential. Wine Spectator specifically recommends now through 2040, while Suckling says to try it after 2028.
Vintage verdict: 98/100 overall. A serious collectible Chilean Cabernet and one of the stronger recent Don Melchor releases.
