Don Melchor from Concha y Toro was Chile’s first icon wine has consistently received the highest praise and recognition throughout its entire history since the beginning. This confirms it as one of the maximum representatives of Cabernet Sauvignon and the Puente Alto terroir, within the Alto Maipo Valley, as Chile’s finest origin for producing this variety.

Vineyard

The Don Melchor vineyard is situated at the foot of the Andes Mountains on the northern bank of the Maipo River at 650 m.a.s.l., the vineyard covers 127 hectares, 90% of them planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.1% to Cabernet Franc, 1.9% to Merlot and 1% to Petit Verdot. The vines in the old vineyard currently average 30 years of age.

Plantation year & density

The old vineyard (80%): 1979–1992, 4,000 plants/hectare and the new vineyard (20%): 2004–2013, 8,000 plants/hectare.

Soil

The first 30 cm of soil is loam with a large amount of stones below that. These soils ensure good drainage and low fertility, which helps restrict the plants’ vegetative growth and encourages the accumulation and maturation of phenolic compounds.

Climate

A semi-arid Mediterranean climate with an average rainfall of 350 mm per year is the characteristic climate of the Alto Maipo Valley. It is planted in one of the coldest sectors of the Alto Maipo Valley. This season was the coldest in the history of Don Melchor, and this, along with harvesting 10 days later than usual, allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and reach the end of the season with exceptionally well-ripened tannins along with very good fruit expression, freshness, and personality.