Description
Don Melchor Puente Alto Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon — Maipo Valley, Chile 2022 750ml
Chile’s first icon wine and a true benchmark among the world’s finest labels, Don Melchor is the singular expression of the Puente Alto Denomination of Origin — a vineyard planted at the foot of the Andes Mountains on the northern bank of the Maipo River at 650 meters elevation. The Don Melchor Vineyard spans 125 hectares, with vines averaging 38 years of age, rooted in the poor gravel soils and balanced temperatures that define this legendary Cabernet Sauvignon terroir. The 2022 blend is composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, aged in French oak barrels with 78% new oak.
The 2022 vintage delivered exceptionally even temperatures throughout the growing season, with stable conditions from veraison through ripening and cooler nights that preserved freshness and aromatic precision. Winemaker Enrique Tirado describes it as a wine of “intense aromatic expression dominated by red fruit and floral notes followed by blackcurrants and blackberries — smooth on entry, evolving into mouth-filling flavours with tremendous concentration, great energy, fine textures, and a long, expressive finish.”
Expert Reviews
James Suckling 99 Points: Blackcurrants, cassis, and graphite on the nose. Pure and fragrant. Full-bodied with superb density and tannins that are so polished — the texture is like touching a silk ball. The finish is very long and compact, and it will come together beautifully with time in the bottle.
Tim Atkin 97 Points: Fresh yet rich and concentrated. Youthful, focused, and well structured — a seamless cuvée showing delightful purity and elegance, top notes of cedarwood and graphite, layered tannins, and a core of cassis, vanilla spice, and black cherry.
Vinous 97 Points: Complex aromas of currant, blackberry, ash, mint, and a subtle floral tone. Dry, rich, and moderately juicy with precisely calibrated tannins and clear fruit imparting intensity and agility. A more nuanced and energetic edition of Don Melchor.
- Producer: Viña Don Melchor, Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, Chile
- Vintage: 2022
- Appellation: Puente Alto Denomination of Origin, Maipo Valley
- Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
- Aging: French oak barrels, 78% new
- Vineyard: 125 hectares at 650m, vines averaging 38 years old
- Size: 750ml
- Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, cassis, graphite, cedarwood, black cherry, mint, floral, silk tannins, long finish
- Cellar Potential: Exceptional aging potential — best from 2027 onward; decant if opening now
- Best Paired With: Prime ribeye, braised short ribs, roast lamb, aged hard cheeses, truffle dishes
Chile’s most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon — Don Melchor 2022 is a wine of extraordinary concentration, elegance, and Andean terroir that belongs in any serious cellar.
