David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The first Don Melchor from my storage and it’s very good but still early. I won’t open another for at least 5 years or more. The nose on first open showed ruby dark currants. As it opened up in the two hour decant, it’s nose changed and showed some earthy funkiness with a fair amount of mushroom. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, overly baked strawberries, blueberries, black cherry cola, dark dry soils, dry crushed rocks, dry stems, soft leather, lead pencil shavings, dry stones, mushrooms, darker Asian spices, mint, dry herbs, anise, tarry notes, black tea, lilacs and fresh & dry dark florals. The body is full, round, lush & elegant. The tannins are round & beautiful, but only 50% resolved. The palate matches the nose very closely. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, overly baked strawberries, blueberries, black cherry cola, dark chocolate & mocha, dark dry soils, dry crushed rocks, dry stems, soft leather, lead pencil shavings, tobacco with ash, dry stones, darker Asian spices, mint, dry herbs, anise, tarry notes, black tea, lilacs and fresh & dry dark florals. The acidity is round & beautiful. The length, balance, structure and tension are extremely solid. The finish is still big, full, round, richly elegant and lasts minutes. Photos of; their beautiful Estate, harvested fruit, a library cellar that I think we’d all like to raid and their barrel room with tasting area. Producer history and notes...Concha y Toro was founded by Don Melchor de Santiago Concha y Toro and his wife, Emiliana Subercaseaux, in 1883. They are the largest producer of wines from Latin America and are headquartered in Santiago, Chile. They own 8,720 hectares spread throughout Chile's major wine regions of; Maipo, Maule, Rapel, Colchagua, Curico, and Casablanca. He started the winery with grape varieties that he brought from Bordeaux. The grapes he brought were; Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Merlot, and Carmenère. Concha y Toro started exporting wine in March of 1933 to the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. In 1950, the winery began to acquire more vineyards. They also began the process of adapting its wine to new markets and meeting a higher demand. In 1971, Eduardo Guilisasti Tagle became Chairman of the Board and succeeded in expanding the company. In 1987, they partnered with the U.S. importer Banfi Vintners. This partnership advanced sales and were able to incorporate more advanced technology in all stages of their production. They also started using small French oak barriques that further advanced the quality of their wines. In 2011, Concha y Toro bought the California portfolio of wines from Brown-Forman. The portfolio included these properties; Fetzer, Bonterra, Five River Wines, Bel Arbor Wines, Jekel Vinyards, Coldwater Creek, Sanctuary Wines Little Black Dress Wines. They are now a huge company with nearly a billion dollars in revenues annually. Don Melchor was Chile’s first iconic wine and has received with few exceptions consistent 90+ Parker scores since 1995. Most in the mid 90 range. This 04 is an excellent example of what they can produce in Chile. If I put this in a blind tasting, many would guess Bordeaux and some Napa Cabernet. — 7 years ago

Philip Martignetti

9.1

One of my very favorite American Chardonnays — 9 years ago

Jason Heller

Master Sommelier

9.3

Wine was doing far better then the label. Very enjoyable Ric Forman made Cab.

1976 Sterling Reserve Cabernet — 9 years ago

with Bob and Cameron

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.6

This is ones by concha y toto when they bought Fetzer along with everything else from brown Forman but Sonoma cutrer — 10 years ago

Samuel Paul Gallegos Serrano

9.0

Atrium // $250 // Desde 1989, abrir una botella de Atrium es disfrutar de una sinfonía de aromas. Las notas de cereza madura y confitura de frambuesa forman un acorde vibrante con los dulces taninos, escribiendo así una mágica partitura Bodega, Familia torres Región, Penedés Tipo de uva, Merlot, Una variedad noble, cultivada en los viñedos del Penedès Central. Maridaje, Perfecto con la ternera, el cerdo o el pato salvaje. Temperatura de servicio, Servir a 15-16ºC Notas de cata, Hermoso color cereza muy oscuro. Generoso aroma, intenso y típico de la variedad, con notas de frutas muy maduras e incluso confituras (ciruela, arándano) sobre fondos de trufa y de laurel. Paladar amplio y goloso con excelentes y dulces taninos, que se abren hacia las notas frutales del aroma. Después, al entibiarse, exhibe ricos matices de cuero y de vainilla que evolucionan hacia un final de boca persistente y sensual. — 11 years ago

Stefani Hood

9.2

A lot like Forman — 7 years ago

Cory Fosdyck

9.6

Phenom but outdone by Ric Forman '07 — 8 years ago

Jeff Smith/Vintner

9.0

Pretty solid wine from a wet vintage. From the Ric Forman era. I think this my be the second, or third Abreu vintage. Cinnamon, spice, toasted brown sugar. Very bright acidity. Fruit is fading a little, but still pure. Black and red currant. If you have it in the cellar, I'd pull the cork. Still very solid, but maybe on the back 9. David was sitting at the bar at Mustards, so I got to share it with him. Fun to drink it with the guy how made it. — 8 years ago

Mark Leavitt

9.0

The only good 85 cab I brought to the 30th anniversary dinner tonight. Stags leap and Forman were over the hill. — 9 years ago

Charlie Beatty

Buyer wineworksonline.com

9.7

Unfined and unfiltered yes! We tried this wine upon its arrival Friday the 15th of May. A visiting rep from American Estates, Forman and others was in my store. Seeing this she said flat out, it has to be bad. Well after trying this Sauv Blanc she asked if she could buy some! Wow minds change fast! We agree. This full bodied Sauv Blanc from the New Guru Mr. Bevan has crafted a unbelievable full body white that just keeps getting better and better in the glass. Yes it's in in its raw form, but you have to try it. Drink a bottle or 3 then lay the rest down. Me I like Chard but this is a Stunner! I would say with a year in bottle I give this 97+. It's the first time ever I give any SB this kind of rating. Only other SB close is J Rochioli Old Vine Sauv Blanc, is a very close second. BRAVO Mr Bevan and Mr Tom Rochioli..... CB 5-15-15 — 9 years ago

Jake Perez

9.9

Ric Forman is a master. French style but you can taste its California roots. Wonderful wine! — 10 years ago

Erin Sullivan Di Costanzo

10

1970 Sterling. Ric Forman is my hero. — 10 years ago

with Jessica

Stephanie Cheng

9.0

...and I'm back! — 7 years ago

Garen Staglin

9.6

74 Sterling Pinot Noir. Incredible fruit still. Rick Forman knew what he was doing with this fruit, probably the diRossa vineyard — 8 years ago

Michael Horkay

9.0

Ever heard the saying they don't make it like they used too. Well it's true with only a handful of California wines that recap poured the hype of Parker but clearly that turned out to be for our benefit. This wine was not Sunni Jung but out dud not did disappoint either. More Bordeaux like that fruity this had classic cedar noted with leathery almost plum like fruit with a good mid palate. Remarkable wines like Selene Forman Scherrer and laurel Glen are too overlooked and I for one am a fan and advocate. Blind I fool most of the people who buy Parker wines. These products make things with soul. — 8 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.0

Pleasantly oily and very smooth for a 90. Nicely warm on the finish. — 9 years ago

Lisa Sands

9.3

Great in a Manhattan or just a shot — 9 years ago

Jeremy Cope

9.4

Second label from Forman. Cherry, strawberry, cranberry. Earthy and a long coating finish. — 10 years ago

Vivian Wang

9.8

Dinner with Amanda! We drank Forman 2007 and Venge bone ash 2011 — 10 years ago