2007 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor

The 2007 Don Melchor is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc aged in French oak (78% new) and one-year old oak. It has a rounded, smooth tobacco and cedar scented bouquet with plush red fruit. The palate is full-bodied with chalky tannins, smoky black tarry fruit and a reserved, slightly austere finish with dark chocolate lingering on the aftertaste. It has Old World sensibility and is well crafted. Drink now-2016. Concha y Toro needs no introduction. I did not have time to visit their facility, but driving past it, one could not help but be impressed by its size. For many around the world, Concha y Toro forms their entrance to Chilean wine. With an exhausting array of wines from seemingly every corner of Chile, I found their wines to play it safe. Few reached the standards I expected, even if many represent good value. At the top end, the wines were good rather than great vis-a-vis its peers, with the notable exception of the Don Melchor. Importer: Excelsior Wine Company; www.banfivintners.com

A warmer than usual winter led to a good spring and encouraged good overall development in the vineyard. Although the early summer months were quite warm, the temperature dropped as the season progressed and promoted good maturation in the bunches. Because rainfall is concentrated in the winter months, we were able to wait patiently for the grapes to fully ripen. Highly favourable climatic conditions throughout the entire season and decreased yields in the vineyard resulted in making 2007 a vintage of excellent quality wines. Powerful blackcurrant fruit upfront, cassis and spice, fruit cake, abrasive tannins, deep core fruit. (RH)