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Concha y Toro: Whole group and single wine specifications
A Chilean producer group established in 1883. They offer a wide range of wines, including Casillero del Diablo and Marqués de Casa Concha, with Don Melchor being one of their iconic wines. This section highlights Don Melchor 2021 from Puente Alto.
Confirm the blend composition and oak regime for Don Melchor 2021 separately from those for the group as a whole.
Questions for this course
Can Don Melchor’s winemaking conditions be applied to all the group’s wines?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
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To explanation task notes ↓Concha y Toro / Learn from Producers
Chile / Maipo / Puente Alto
Aliases/Labels: Concha y Toro / コンチャ・イ・トロ
Updated: 2026-10-06
Wines of Puente Alto
Don Melchor 2021 is a wine made with grapes from Puente Alto, Maipo. You need to separate the source of the grapes for this wine from the scope and activities of a group that produces many different labels.
Three varieties in 2021
In 2021, the blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot. Even though Cabernet dominates, it is not a single-varietal wine. Also, these three numbers refer to the final blend, not the ratios of vineyard plantings.
Duration and new oak proportion
Aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, composed of 68% new barrels and 32% once-used barrels. Document the aging period and barrel proportions separately. Even for the same label, check the specifics for each vintage year.
What to align and what to compare.
Range
- Conditions to standardize
- Same group
- Conditions for comparison.
- The whole and a single label
- Additional points to confirm
- Region of origin of the raw material
Blending
- Conditions to standardize
- 2021 Don Melchor
- Conditions for comparison.
- Proportion of the three varieties
- Additional points to confirm
- Distinguish from planting ratio
Aging
- Conditions to standardize
- 15 months in French oak barrels
- Conditions for comparison.
- 68% new barrels and 32% once-used barrels
- Additional points to confirm
- Different year’s specifications
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Reading Concha y Toro materials: Whole group and single wine specifications
Check and compare the region, raw materials, and process from the materials, and explain what can be learned from the comparison.
Comparative tables are based on the source’s target year and the explanation at the time of verification. Descriptions without year specifications are not treated as specifications common to all harvest years or shipped portions.
| Comparison items | 2021 materials | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 93%・4%・3% | CS, CF, Merlot | Blending of the finished wine. |
| 15 months | Length of aging in French oak | Not the years a barrel is used |
| 68%・32% | New barrels and once-used barrels | This is not about the proportion of grape varieties in the blend. |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What about the 2021 Cabernet Franc?
In 2021, the blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot. Even though Cabernet dominates, it is not a single-varietal wine. Also, these three numbers refer to the final blend, not the ratios of vineyard plantings.
What does '68%' refer to?
Aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, composed of 68% new barrels and 32% once-used barrels. Document the aging period and barrel proportions separately. Even for the same label, check the specifics for each vintage year.
What does this specification directly explain?
Don Melchor 2021 is a wine made with grapes from Puente Alto, Maipo. You need to separate the source of the grapes for this wine from the scope and activities of a group that produces many different labels.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Check and compare the region, raw materials, and process from the materials, and explain what can be learned from the comparison.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | 2021 materials | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 93%・4%・3% | CS, CF, Merlot | Blending of the finished wine. |
| 15 months | Length of aging in French oak | Not the years a barrel is used |
| 68%・32% | New barrels and once-used barrels | This is not about the proportion of grape varieties in the blend. |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Clearly state the blend and barrel details for Don Melchor 2021, specifying the applicable scope.
Check after writing
- Check the proportion of grape varieties.
- Distinguish between barrel and raw material ratios.
- Do not generalize from data on a single label.
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