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The undisputed king of pricey Chilean wines – Metro US

The undisputed king of pricey Chilean wines

Though Chile’s reputation for making consistent, quality wines at an affordable price may have done its winemakers well over the past 25 years, just try and find someone who doesn’t raise an eyebrow when confronted with a Chilean wine more than $15.

It’s a classic case of being so good at making inexpensive wines that the consumer wonders why they need to pay more. That’s too bad, because Chile makes plenty of amazing ultra premium wines that taste as impressive as their price tags.

The undisputed king of South America’s upper liquid echelon is Concha y Toro’s Don Melchor ($69.95 – $79.99). Named for the winery’s founder, the just released 2007 vintage is the twentieth edition of a wine that stands glass to glass with some of the finest cabernet sauvignon-led juice in the world.

Surprisingly drinkable at such a young age, the 2007’s dark fruit flavours show an edge of chocolate and black coffee along with some impressive wood in the background. While a bit lighter than the excellent 2006 vintage, it should age well over the next 10 years, at least if the idea of matching it with a juicy grilled steak doesn’t convince you to open it tonight.

Prices reflect the range across the country. Some products may not be available in all provinces.

Peter Rockwell is the everyman’s wine writer, working in the liquor industry for more than 25 years and travelling the globe looking for something to fill his glass and put into words.