Opened this last night with some BBQ'd steak and veges. I was not nearly as impressed as the recent 96 pt. score. Good new world cab. with high toned red/black fruit, macerated cherries, plenty of new oak, and cigar spices. Moderate long finish. Not all that complex, and I'm sure some will say this just "needs time". I have my doubts that these kind of wines will get better with age....just different, and quite often a slow decline from the glory of release. 91 pts.

Also found here...

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quite often a slow decline from the glory of release.

Can't be said better. The best DM I ever had was the 2001 upon release. As they age, I never saw any positive evolution (2000, 2001, 2002 & 2003), and have stopped buying...especially since the 2005 hit here locally at $65. I also didn't buy and 2004.

Unless these things need 10+ years...which I doubt...they don't get better with age IMHO.

I bought 6 of the '05 because of all the hyper positive reviews on here. A little disappointed that it didn't WOW! you, but I look forward to trying it myself.

Sticky2....I'm sure you'll enjoy it. These kind of wines "wow" plenty of people. I'm just sick of coming accross, yet another, ripe, straightforward, oak-laden, Cabernet.

Everyone and their mother seems to be making the '05 Don Melchor right now....it just has hundreds of different names....

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Originally posted by dr.darkrichandbold:
Sticky2....I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Everyone and their mother seems to be making the '05 Don Melchor right now....it just has hundreds of different names....

Hey, what are you trying to say about my taste

I think I know what you mean, I was rather underwhelmed with an 05 Karl Lawrence Cab and 05 Drinkward Peschon. The term one dimensional seemed to apply.

Night two....showing lots of oak, some anise, cherry, light soy/skunkiness, and dried herbs. Signs of oxidation. No more of this for me....I really don't think these wines are meant to go the mile...

Have you tried any with some age?

I had a 2000 a few months back that definitely wowed me. It was fabulous. Conversely I had the 2001 on release and twice since and so far have been underwhelmed.

Anyways I still have the 97, 99, 00, 01, 03, 04 so we will see. With the recent price increase however I will no longer be buying 6 packs. Well maybe the classic vintages

PS. Parker for example says the 2004 "demands" 8-10 years of cellaring.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: WineDaddy,

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Originally posted by dr.darkrichandbold:
Night two....light soy/skunkiness

Mmmmmmmm just what I look for in a wine.

Winedaddy...

No...this is the first Melchor I've had. I've always been leary of wether this wine is deserving of it's reputation from Spectator. I decided to finally try it with the latest score and all. No more for me.

Parker tends to say this about a lot of the new age uber ripe oak milkshakes (Aussie wines would be the prime example). I just don't buy it. I think these wines are out of balance and not going to truly hold up to the kind of drinking windows he bestows. "demands 8-10 years of cellaring" to me means don't touch it until then, and then it should start drinking well. These are comments for 1st growth Bordeaux and Grand Cru Burgundy IMHO. I'd bet these kind of wines are fading and not even half of what they were on release by that time.

DRAB, I've been sitting on the fence about whether to buy a few of the '05, which are at my local Costco for $50. DM isn't on my long range buying plan but sometimes I will make exceptions for extraordinary wine values. I think I'll pass. Thanks for the advice.

StarV100...

I'm certainly not trying to disuade people who like Don Melchor or wines like this from buying. I'm sure if you like this style, you'll enjoy this wine. Just a thought...

Agreed. StarV100, I hadn't cared a whole lot for the other DMs I'd tasted, but found the 2005 to be fantastic. If you can get it locally for $50, it's worth getting a bottle to try, eh? See for yourself.

I have never enjoyed a DM that I have opened on release (actually I thought about returning the 2001 but forgot to ) and have learned to leave them alone for at least 5+ years. I had a 2001 last month and it was truly outstanding. At $ 44 CDN I would be hard press to find a Califorian Cab to measure up IMHO.

Gibby

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Originally posted by dr.darkrichandbold:
StarV100...

I'm certainly not trying to disuade people who like Don Melchor or wines like this from buying. I'm sure if you like this style, you'll enjoy this wine. Just a thought...

Thanks DRAB. I understand exactly what you're saying. It's just that my buying strategy simply doesn't include (somewhat) expensive Chilean wines. I agree that there are many terrific Chilean wines, but there are too many wines in my target countries / regions / vintages and I can't have them all.

I do make exceptions for what I might consider a truly outstanding wine. But I'm not really willing to spend 50 bucks on something that might or might not be outstanding, when I could use that for something I know that I want.

Besides, I have 4 of the '01's in storage...

I have tried the 03, 04 and 05. Several years ago, I thought that it was very good, fruit filled wine (it still is). But the oak, paired with oak and straightforward cab flavors that are pretty one dimensional, for me, are just not what I am looking for anymore. I find that, for example, the 3 vintages of Darioush that I have in my cellar don't even call out to me anymore, and I wonder if this is just a phase, or if my tastes have 'moved on.'

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I wonder if this is just a phase, or if my tastes have 'moved on.'

You are officially half way to Burgundy my friend! The beginning of the end...

i tried this wine at the wine spectator event in las vegas and thought it was quite impressive. so i guess i liked it more than you, DRAB.