Still very tight but the tannins that lead the way now are sleek and refined and should easily meld into the huge core of roasted chestnut black currant paste warm fig and tar. Has a long coffee- and loam-tinged finish. Best from 2009 through 2019. 18000 cases made. -JM

The 2005 Don Melchor was cropped from an almost perfect year, when the grapes were picked between April 11 and May 19 in a slightly warmer year that provided powerful wines. The bottled wine was Cabernet Sauvignon with some 3% Cabernet Franc and had been matured in French oak barrels for 15 months, with 70% new barrels and the rest second use. Somehow this vintage had never been rated before, and I'm glad I did because it's a very good year, with average rain and not so high temperature, with a combination of power and finesse, notes of ash, earth, red and black fruit and a powerful palate. You see more the hand of a good winemaker here; there is very good balance, quality of tannins and freshness. This has balance, finesse and energy. It's evolving at a very slow pace, and it should continue aging forever in bottle. - Luis Gutiérrez

This comes across as the best Don Melchor that Concha y Toro has produced and at $69 it should be. It's very ripe with oak sitting atop pure cassis and plum aromas. The palate is sweet juicy and packed with dynamite blackberry and black plum flavors. Dark chocolaty and long on the finish with ripe tannins. Drink now or hold for five years.