Wines Maipo Alto Don Melchor - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2016

Don Melchor 2016 from Maipo Alto is widely recognised as one of Chile’s flagship wines, celebrated for its elegance and complexity. Centred around Cabernet Sauvignon, the blend might also contain small proportions of other Bordeaux varietals, lending further complexity and nuance, but Cabernet remains the dominant force. The 2016 vintage benefited from a slightly cooler growing season, yielding wines with intense aromatic purity, freshness and refined structure. Vinification is typically meticulous, with extended maceration and careful barrel maturation—often in high-quality French oak—to enfold the ripe fruit core in subtle layers of spice and silk.

The Maipo Valley, and particularly the esteemed Maipo Alto subregion, is often likened to Bordeaux for its ability to produce ageworthy, structured reds. The vineyards are nestled along the foothills of the Andes, where elevations combined with alluvial soils rich in gravel and clay ensure excellent drainage and promote deep root development. The Mediterranean climate is tempered by cool Andean breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and retain natural acidity, which imparts both vibrancy and longevity to the wines. The Maipo Valley is one of Chile’s oldest and most historic wine regions, first gaining notoriety in the 19th century, and today remains the spiritual home of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pairing Don Melchor 2016 with food, consider dishes that mirror the wine’s structure and depth. Classic choices from Chile might include grilled beef asado, lamb with herbs or slow-cooked beef short ribs. Its firm yet supple tannins also work beautifully with roast game, aged hard cheeses or dishes featuring earthy mushrooms. To bring out the subtleties of the wine, avoid heavily spiced foods, favouring preparation methods and accompaniments that enhance rather than overpower.

For the best tasting experience, decant the wine for at least an hour to allow the bouquet to unfold. Serve at around 16-18°C, where the aromas of cassis, cedar, graphite and subtle floral notes will be at their most expressive. Enjoy now for its vivid freshness, or cellar for another decade to witness further development and integration.