Stefan Dolhain

9.1

1982 vintage. Jekel vineyards Monterey Cabernet Sauvignon. Not my first positive surprise with an old inexpensive California cab. Solid colour for a 40 years old wine. It still has fruit, amazingly fresh, delicious. Fun fact: the back label states " it may be enjoyed now and will continue to develop ageing nuances for the next five years"! Abv. 13% — a year ago

Cameron Hobel

Owner/Winemaker Hobel Wine Works

9.6

Jekel and Hyde.... today amazing wine but consistency is an issue — 7 years ago

with Paul

Jed Peterson

9.0

At the Orange House in Punta Gorda with the Majavs, ghingers & bill & Karen — 9 years ago

Kathryn Tidaback

10

So buttery! — 10 years ago

with Amelia

Ezekiel James Hampton

8.9

Super green, but hecka good if you lie that style. Surprised, but Monterey showed up. — 2 years ago

Charlotte Alexander

9.6

Light fruity Pinot noir great aperitif wine — 7 years ago

with Jessica

Billie Rye

9.6

2005- super drinkable! Perfectly paired for nights with your favorite gents cooking pasta-just perfect. — 8 years ago

Darcie Leib

8.9

Eucalyptus. Drinks like a cab franc. Very enjoyable. — 10 years ago

Jason Wetzler

9.0

Green Apple skin and earthy on the tongue. — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The first Don Melchor from my storage and it’s very good but still early. I won’t open another for at least 5 years or more. The nose on first open showed ruby dark currants. As it opened up in the two hour decant, it’s nose changed and showed some earthy funkiness with a fair amount of mushroom. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, overly baked strawberries, blueberries, black cherry cola, dark dry soils, dry crushed rocks, dry stems, soft leather, lead pencil shavings, dry stones, mushrooms, darker Asian spices, mint, dry herbs, anise, tarry notes, black tea, lilacs and fresh & dry dark florals. The body is full, round, lush & elegant. The tannins are round & beautiful, but only 50% resolved. The palate matches the nose very closely. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, overly baked strawberries, blueberries, black cherry cola, dark chocolate & mocha, dark dry soils, dry crushed rocks, dry stems, soft leather, lead pencil shavings, tobacco with ash, dry stones, darker Asian spices, mint, dry herbs, anise, tarry notes, black tea, lilacs and fresh & dry dark florals. The acidity is round & beautiful. The length, balance, structure and tension are extremely solid. The finish is still big, full, round, richly elegant and lasts minutes. Photos of; their beautiful Estate, harvested fruit, a library cellar that I think we’d all like to raid and their barrel room with tasting area. Producer history and notes...Concha y Toro was founded by Don Melchor de Santiago Concha y Toro and his wife, Emiliana Subercaseaux, in 1883. They are the largest producer of wines from Latin America and are headquartered in Santiago, Chile. They own 8,720 hectares spread throughout Chile's major wine regions of; Maipo, Maule, Rapel, Colchagua, Curico, and Casablanca. He started the winery with grape varieties that he brought from Bordeaux. The grapes he brought were; Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Merlot, and Carmenère. Concha y Toro started exporting wine in March of 1933 to the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. In 1950, the winery began to acquire more vineyards. They also began the process of adapting its wine to new markets and meeting a higher demand. In 1971, Eduardo Guilisasti Tagle became Chairman of the Board and succeeded in expanding the company. In 1987, they partnered with the U.S. importer Banfi Vintners. This partnership advanced sales and were able to incorporate more advanced technology in all stages of their production. They also started using small French oak barriques that further advanced the quality of their wines. In 2011, Concha y Toro bought the California portfolio of wines from Brown-Forman. The portfolio included these properties; Fetzer, Bonterra, Five River Wines, Bel Arbor Wines, Jekel Vinyards, Coldwater Creek, Sanctuary Wines Little Black Dress Wines. They are now a huge company with nearly a billion dollars in revenues annually. Don Melchor was Chile’s first iconic wine and has received with few exceptions consistent 90+ Parker scores since 1995. Most in the mid 90 range. This 04 is an excellent example of what they can produce in Chile. If I put this in a blind tasting, many would guess Bordeaux and some Napa Cabernet. — 6 years ago