Don Melchor Tasting with winemaker for Don Melchor, Enrique Tirado Santelices.

 

"Hey Man, I'm drinking wine, eating cheese and catching some rays."

Donald Sutherland as Oddball, in "Kelly's Heros"

 

When it comes to the world's iconic wines they are getting more and more expensive so much so that today most of them have been put into the category of trophy wines rather than wines you can afford to actually consume.  It seems that most collectors have a section of their wine cellar that now say's DO NOT DRINK because of the prices are so high that up upsets the stomach of the wine collector.

One of the places that you can still find top level iconic wines produced by some of the world’s best winemakers for under $100 per bottle is Chile.  Chile has a long history of producing wine but it is not until the last few decades that they have been producing world class wines so we are really still on the ground floor of what is happening in terms of the quality revolution in Chile.

Take the most important winery in Chile, Concha Y Toro winery, they make millions of bottles of wine every year but it was not until 1987 that they decided to try to make at top level wine that would rival the best made in Bordeaux and from 1999 to the newly released 2010 vintage they have scored over (90 Points) in both the Wine Spectator and the Wine Advocate for the Don Melchor putting this wine into a very exclusive group of the world's top level elite wines.

Join us as we experience the newest release of this iconic Chilean wine.  We will taste the 2010 and 2011 vintage of Don Melchor to showcase the current releases of Chile's top Cabernet Sauvignon with our host the winemaker for Don Melchor, Enrique Tirado Santelices.

The fee for this tasting is $75 + tax and Wine Watch caterings Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines.  Enrique will also have a few surprises for our group, this tasting is limited to 15 tasters, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Don Melchor  Wine tasting at Wine Watch with winemaker Enrique Tirado Santelices
Friday, January 16th
7:00 PM

 

Reception

2012 Concha Y Toro Sauvignon Blanc Terrunyo Block 27 Peumo
Price: $24.75      Sale $ 21.75         Case $253

Starts out with citrus, mineral, and herbaceous aromas and then opens to exotic and calcareous notes. ¬e palate is very fresh and elegant, with incisive acidity that extends long with tones of herbs and passion fruit

 

 

Don Melchor

 

2010 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon Chile
Price: $100.00    Sale $88.00    Case $1020

The 2010 Don Melchor (a homage to Don Melchor Concha y Toro who created Concha y Toro in 1883) is a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc from Alto Maipo, the best terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile. 2010 was a cool vintage, balanced and fresh. It has aromas of blood and fresh meat, it feels subtle, with signs of youth in the shape of some lactic hints with good freshness, notes of black and red berries, developing some aromas of graphite and cold bonfire with time in the glass. The wine fills your mouth with its sophisticated, fine-grained tannins and has good freshness and length. The wine is quite drinkable now, but if you wait a little, the lactic touch should get more integrated and will age for a long time. I tasted 1993 and 1996 and both are drinking perfectly now: this wine has a track record. The 2010 vintage was launched in March-April 2014. Drink 2015-2025.

As you can probably guess, I didn’t taste all these Concha y Toro wines in five minutes. The process involved meeting and tasting with the three main winemakers from the huge winery – the second largest in the world, I believe. I sat down in Madrid with Enrique Tirado, who is in charge Don Melchor and Gravas del Maipoas as well as the Eolo from Trivento, their Argentinean winery. Another day, I tasted Marques de Casas Concha and the separate winery Maycas de Limari with Marcelo Papa. I visited their headquarters in Maipo where Ignacio Recabarren shared his work on the Trio, Amelia, Terrunyo and Carmin de Peumo line. In addition, they sent me more samples to taste through the trade organization Wines of Chile. Phew! The three winemakers have different personalities, which are transmitted to the wines; Marcelo Papa has a Burgundian concept of the wines, harvesting a little earlier, using less new oak, experimenting with foudres, not always barriques, and favoring cool climate regions. Concha y Toro has a number of wineries and produces a wide range of wines throughout Chile in all prices ranges. Enrique Tirado, a nice, quiet, serious guy, has been in charge of Don Melchor since 2007. He also runs Gravas de Maipo and oversees the Eolo wines from the Trivento winery in Mendoza, Argentina. Puente Alto is a small appellation within Maipo with about 400 hectares of vineyards, and the Don Melchor vineyards are 126 hectares (90% Cabernet Sauvignon). From these vineyards, they produce about 170,000 bottles of a truly iconic Chilean wine from the alluvial soils of the Andes with lots of rocks, in the third terrace from the Maipo river. This is the best terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile (Casa Real, Domus Aurea, Don Melchor, and more). Bordeaux winemakers Jacques and Eric Boissenot have been consultants for Don Melchor since the beginning. Since 1999, Don Melchor has had between 2% and 10% Cabernet Franc (in 2013 it will have 10%, the maximum). Vineyards are at 650 meters altitude. The wine is aged in French oak for around 14 months and the pH is approximately 3.6 to 3.7. I had the chance to do a vertical tasting of Don Melchor and see how the wine has evolved through time. Nowadays it’s less balsamic and less minty, the wood increasing until 2001 and then decreasing. Marcelo Papa is responsible for the Marques de Casa Concha label (with wines from different regions) as well as the Maycas de Limari (a completely separate and independent winery in the Limari Valley that is listed separately). Finally, Ignacio Recabarren, is the winemaker responsible for the rest of the lines for a company, which is the second largest wine producer in the world after Gallo. Among what he oversees are most of the Carmenere wines at the winery in Puente Alto. He was once involved in Quebrada de Macul, producers of Domus Aurea, one of the iconic Cabernet-based wines from Chile. He has an inquiring mind, always questioning what is done, trying to improve and do things differently. He experiments often, and I was able to preview some of those experiments.  Wine Advocate #213, Jun 2014

 

2011 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon Chile
Price: $100.00    Sale $88.00    Case $1020

The 127-hectare vineyard consists of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.1% Cabernet Franc, 1.9% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. It is planted on the north bank of the Maipo River at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level. This zone lies at the foot of the Andes Mountains in the Maipo River Basin and corresponds to the Puente Alto Denomination of Origin.

The vineyard was planted in 1890 with a selection of pre-phylloxera vinestock brought from Bordeaux in the late 19th century. The vines growing in the vineyard today are a massal selection of those original vines and now average 30 years in age.

 

A few extra wines we will be taste from Concha Y Toro Winery:

 

Conch Y Toro Amelia Chardonnay 2013
Price: $47.25       Sale $41.58          Case $482

 

2010 Concha Y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Terrunyo Block 27 Peumo
Price: $42.00       Sale $36.96          Case $429

Deep red. Expressive, black fruit, mineral notes, led pencil, black currant and aromas. Well structured, muscular, detaching soft tannins, persistent with a long, pure and fruity finish.

 

2010 Concha Y Toro Carmenere Terrunyo Block 27 Peumo
Price: $42.00       Sale $36.96          Case $429

A good amount of that same toasty oak spice, black earth, mocha and dark coco notes along with some of that peppery spice that this varietal is known for but not green, very nice balance and complexity on the nose. This wine is from a vineyard planted in 1990 and is a single block from this vineyard site, a very big and chewy wine on the tongue with nice freshness through the finish along with all that nuance from the nose through the finish long and layered with a bit of that peppery spice but lots of everything else. Finish 45+ Excellent +

 

2009 Concha Y Toro Syrah Terrunyo Block 27 Peumo
Price: $42.00       Sale $36.96          Case $429

Deep, dark red. Ripe and dense, offering violet notes intermingled with cassis, asphalt and cherry. Lingering rich and smoky black tar on the finish. Velvety-textured, concentrated, powerful and supple with an enormous core of fresh fruit and truffles and enveloping smooth, ripe, well-rounded and elegant tannins.

 

Concha Y Toro Trivento Eolo Malbec 2011
Price: $96.75       Sale $85.14          Case $987

 

Menu

Mole BBQ Chicken served over creamy polenta with Avocado Fries

Sliced NY Sirloin served with fried Quesedilla over queso blanco sauce with fresh tomato and garden herb salsa

Dark chocolate covered Bacon and Blackberries

 

The Fee for this tasting is $75 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

 

A bit about Concha Y Toro Winery:

Concha y Toro is Latin America’s principal wine exporter and one of the most important wine brands in the world, with a presence in more than 135 countries.

A global company that brings together tradition and innovation, and supports its commitment with the consumer by providing them with the best quality and wine experience.

Our agricultural-oenological work philosophy is oriented to quality in the whole production process and to extracting the unique and distinctive characteristics of each specific origin.

The diversification of soils and climates has enabled us to have the widest range of varieties in the Chilean industry. This, plus a deep dedication by the winery and constant research, provides internationally praised wines.

 

A bit about their Vineyards & Valleys:

 

Limarí     Limarí Valley

The valley of the river Limarí starts to the north of the Chilean wine-industry zone and is located in the Region of Coquimbo. This area, recently developed for the wine business, has ideal characteristics for the production of white wines and some red varieties like Syrah. It is a semi-desert valley of great luminosity.

 

VINEYARDS: Nueva Aurora, Los Acacios, San Julián, El Trapiche and Lachica.     MAIN WINE VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.     CLIMATE: Temperate semi-arid with marine influence.     SOIL: Thin clay loam with scarce organic material.

 

Casablanca     Casablanca Valley

Due to its climatic conditions, with a strong sea influence and morning mists spring and summer, the valley of Casablanca is an exceptional micro-zone for the growing of premium white varieties, like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

VINEYARDS: El Triángulo, Lo Ovalle and Los Perales.     MAIN WINE VARIETIES: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Pinot Gris.     CLIMATE: Cold with marine influence.     SOIL: Sandy clay loam.

 

Rapel     Rapel Valley

Thanks to the climate and the composition of its soils, this valley permits the growing of a wide variety of grapes. It is divided into two: the valleys of Cachapoal and Colchagua which have acquired a great international prestige, especially in red varieties like Carmenere and Syrah.

VINEYARDS: Cachapoal Valley Peumo, Idahue, Rucahue, Las Pataguas y Ucúquer. Colchagua Valley Palo Santo, La Puerta, Las Mercedes, Chomedahue, Agua Santa and El Estero.     MAIN WINE VARIETIES: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Chardonnay and Carmenere.     CLIMATE: Hot Mediterranean, cold Mediterranean.     SOIL: Clay loam and sandy loam.

 

Curicó     Curicó Valley

Located in Chile’s central zone, this valley favors the production of various fine varieties thanks to its cimatic and soil conditions, which permit the production of a wide variety of premium wines.

VINEYARDS: Rauco, San Ignacio, San Manuel and Yungay.     MAIN WINE VARIETIES: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Carmenere, Pinot Gris, Viognier and Syrah.     CLIMATE: Temperate Mediterranean, cold Mediterranean.     SOIL: Clay to clay loam and sandy loam.

 

Maule     Maule Valley

These are generous, wine-producing lands to which we have introduced chosen varieties from our nurseries, modern technology and our experience in making wine.

VINEYARDS: Quebrada de Agua, Lourdes, Villa Alegre, Mariposas and Santa Raquel.     MAIN WINE VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer and Carmenere.     CLIMATE: Mediterranean with great day and night temperature swings.     SOIL: Clay to clay loam and sandy loam.

 

Maipo     Maipo Valley

The slopes of the Maipo receive the force of the torrent of the river of same name flowing down from the high Andes mountains, bringing thawed waters rich in oxygen and minerals which generously water the vines.

VINEYARDS: Puente Alto, El Mariscal, Pirque, Santa Isabel, San Adolfo and Lo Mackenna.     MAIN WINE VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.     CLIMATE: Mediterranean with great day and night temperature swings.     SOIL: Clay loam and very stony

 

Other Wines Available from Concha Y Toro winery:

 

2012 Concha y Toro Grand Reserve Chardonnay
Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86          Case $161

Sourced from Ucúquer Vineyard, Southern bank of the Rapel River, D.O. Colchagua, Rapel Valley.  Bright yellow. Elegant and complex; recalls light tropical fruits and toasted hazelnuts intermingled with mineral notes. Mild and creamy with pleasing acidity and a long finish.

 

2011 Concha y Toro Grand Reserve Merlot
Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86          Case $161

Merlot 90%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%.  Sourced from Mariposas Vineyard, North bank of the Maule River, D.O. San Clemente, Maule Valley.  Deep red with pronounced violet notes. Highly intense. Its notes of black fruit, particularly plums, blackberries, and black cherries, blend harmoniously with notes of spice and a light touch of mocha. The aromas intensify on the palate. Sweet, ripe tannins provide balance between suppleness, elegance, and might.

 

2012 Concha y Toro Grand Reserve Malbec
Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86          Case $161

90% Malbec, 10% Syrah.  Sourced from Palo Santo Vineyard, South Bank of the Tinguiririca River, D.O Marchigüe, Colchagua Valley.  Very intense, deep purplish-red. Intense aromas of black fruits, blueberries, black plums, and chocolate. Concentrated, with soft, sweet tannins. Flavors of black fruit. Good structure and density.

 

Concha y Toro Grand Reserve Carmenere
Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86          Case $161

90% Carmenere, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon  Sourced from Peumo Vineyard, North bank of the Cachapoal River, D.O. Peumo, Cachapoal Valley.  Deep, intense, purplish-red. Intense aromas of black fruits, blueberries, black plums, chocolate, and white pepper. Concentrated, with soft, sweet tannins. Good structure and density.

 

2012 Concha y Toro Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86          Case $161

90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Carmenere, 2% Cabernet Franc  Sourced from Palo Santo Vineyard, South bank of the Tinguiririca River,D.O. Marchigüe ,Colchagua Valley  Deep red. Intense aromas of black fruits, plums, cherries, chocolate, and cassis. Concentrated, with sweet tannins. Red fruit flavors. Good structure and density.

 

2011 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Sauvignon Blanc
Price: $22.50       Sale $19.80           Case $230.00

Clean and bright, greenish-straw yellow. Aromas of lime and grapefruit are followed by ripe white peach and fresh-cut grass.  This an intense yet mild wine with a delicious concentration of ¬flavors enveloped in a mineral structure

 

2012 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $22.50       Sale $19.80          Case $230.00

Unctuous cherry, cassis, cedar, blackberry, black tar and smoke-led presence. Tight and focused with a deep concentration of ¬flavors framed by firm tannins. A smooth, almost silky texture masks the firm tannic structure beneath, which really comes to the fore at the beginning of the long finish.

 

2010 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Carmenere
Price: $22.50       Sale $19.80          Case $230.00

Dark and deep red. It has a classic Peumo Carmenere profile of intense dark plums, black currants, and dark chocolate. It is modern in tannins which are soft and finely ground. The wine show firm tannic structure, with a crisp bite of acidity.

 

2011 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Merlot
Price: $22.50       Sale $19.80           Case $230.00

Dark and deep red. Rich and deftly balanced yet muscular red, with layers of complex currant, spice, wild berry and plum. Show off a nice touch of vanilla oak and mocha, adding a nice dimension. Though tannic now, this wine should evolve. There's already some complexity beginning to develop out of its firm, quiet, supple core.

 

2011 Concha Y Toro Riesling Terrunyo Block 27 Peumo
Price: $33.75       Sale $29.70          Case $345

Intensely oral aromas on the nose with citrus notes. ¬ palate is very mineral, with tremendous acidity and refreshing notes of lemon.

 

2012 Concha Y Toro Sauvignon Blanc Terrunyo Block 27 Peumo
Price: $33.75       Sale $29.70          Case $345

Starts out with citrus, mineral, and herbaceous aromas and then opens to exotic and calcareous notes. ¬e palate is very fresh and elegant, with incisive acidity that extends long with tones of herbs and passion fruit