February 7, 2021 - This was the woftn by far. What a beautiful nose! Fully mature Melchor just singing right now! Aromas of leather and eucalyptus, lilacs, forest and clay. Nice smooth yet still vibrant mouthfeel with a seamless palette and fine integrated tannin. Notes of black cherry, orange pekoe tea, cacao and anise. Topped off with a long almost savory drying finish that makes you long for another sip. Drink not, friendly from the pop of the cork.
January 8, 2019 - Initially some funk so I decanted for an hour. Some sediment so decanting was a good idea. This became a beautiful example of an aged Cabernet. Dark fruit with lots of herbal notes. Give it some air if you still have any and enjoy.
July 19, 2018 - Last bottle. Didn't realize it takes me 18 years to come back to it. Tannins has mellow down but still very present. Spice, potpourri and vegetal.
July 2, 2018 - On my first Coravin sample I wrote:
Past its peak. Earthy mushroom flavors. Some grainy tannins left. 88 points
2 weeks later after popping the cork, it was quite a bit better. Not nearly as evolved. Fully mature with nice secondary flavors. Upgrade to 90
October 8, 2017 - Full bodieied, Floral, notes of strawberry, but a bit chalky.
December 7, 2016 - So much tannin in a NW wine is not a thing one encounters often. Very intense, peppery vegetality, quite a lot of acidity, sturdy structure. A bit rustic, somewhat disbalanced. Nice, but other older Melchors I have tried (95 and 01) were more fruity and harmonious.
November 28, 2016 - Opened by Allred. 4th time I have had this wine and this bottle seemed to be fading a little. Earthy texture with bitter cherry notes and a sour component. 88 points.
November 25, 2016 - Popped and poured. Notes of cherry and red currant fruit with minty, herbal overtones. Fully-integrated tannins with flavors of red berry fruit, leather and mint. Medium(-) finish. Very nice for half an hour or so before it began to fade.
June 3, 2015 - Opened by Allred. Decanted just before serving. Part of a 5 bottle vertical. 3rd time I have had this wine with the last being in 2010. This has really evolved since then. Much more old world character with less fruit but greater depth. Red with some bricking. Smooth tannins. Notes of tobacco, leather berry and cigar box. My 2nd favorite of the night. Drink now. 92-93 points.
May 30, 2015 - Decanted off its sediment and served shortly thereafter. Garnet core with some bricking. Initial aromas of tobacco and currants with a vegetal, brett undertone. The vegetal qualities dissipate leaving currants, saddle leather and cigar box. Currants, plum and cedar tones on the palate. Fully-integrated and balanced with a nice finish. Definitely has some Bordeaux-like qualities.