Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 750ml

Even though it’s still very young and it’s not going to be released for some months, the 2016 Don Melchor shows great elegance and poise. Concha y Toro Don might be a lighter year for Don Melchor, but it has more finesse, lower alcohol (the label says 14%, when it was traditionally 14.5%) and great balance.

Concha y Toro Don has a velvety texture, with very fine and round tannins and very good freshness. There are some balsamic notes, and the wine feels undeveloped, but it has the balance and stuffing to develop nicely in bottle and for a long time.

Big, rich and filled with luscious raspberry, currant and plum flavors that are pure and focused. Minerally midpalate, with a finish that powers through to notes of dried meat and spice, showing floral hints. Drink now through 2024. 7,635 cases made, 1,600 cases imported.

Well-concentrated berry aromas include rich notes of chocolate, tobacco and earth on this plush yet restrained Cabernet. Spicy berry and cocoa flavors finish dry, long and with a hint of clove. Given the documented difficulties of 2016 in Chile, this can hold its head up. Drink through 2026.

Concha y Toro Don’s very elegant wine presents tremendous aromatic expression with a predominance of small red fruit notes. It starts smooth and is friendly on the palate and continues with perfectly balanced flavours and a long finish, where the balance and delicacy of the tannins reappear with great expression of this vintage’s lively fruit.

The purity and reserve to this is wonderful with blackcurrants and crushed stone. Some redcurrants, as well. Full body. Polished and refined tannins give this a pleasant, caressing texture.