2001 Don Melchor
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Tasting notes
The 2001 Don Melchor is drinking beautifully and is among the highlights of this vertical tasting. It opens with the flight's most savory and spice-driven bouquet, supplemented with wet clay, cedar and pencil-shaving aromas. The palate is beautifully refined and supple, concluding with an expansive, glacial finish that combines a gentle, seductive nature with melting tannins and impressive length. This wine performed beautifully in the glass, and while its current harmony is probably best capitalized on within the next five years, it should hold for some time after that. It's composed of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc that matured for 14 months in 75% new barrique.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc. Hand-harvested between 1 and 29 April. Each block vinified separately in stainless steel. Fermentations lasting 8–10 days at 25–28 °C with 4–6 pumpovers per day. 10- to 20-day extended maceration at 23–25 °C. 14 months in 75% new, 25% second-use French oak. pH 3.75. I do think this is a bit past its prime. Prune, iodine, and partially dried but still tacky black cherry on the nose – quite nice. The palate is intense but the iodine is even more evident on the palate than on the nose and the finish isn't the freshest. Well-integrated cigar box and wet-leaf notes, medium-plus acid. Based on the nose alone this would be a 17, but palate is a 16 – so split the difference. Do drink it now if you still have some. (SCJ)
99% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 14 months in French oak barrels (75% new, 25% second-use). Dark crimson. Sweet slightly oaky nose. Lots of new oak because the wine was very strong in tannin. Meat extract plus sweetness. A bit chewy and astringent on the end. Bit of a bruiser. (JR)
9% Cabernet Franc. Fairly wet year. Very deep blackish ruby – even deeper than the 1988. Strong blackcurrant and a hint of balsam. Firm charry spine. Polished and fresh. Masses of pleasure even if not masses of complexity or aftertaste. Burly and very fruit focused. Good freshness on the end. (JR)