Marques de Casa Concha Merlot (1998)

About this wine

This Merlot presents a deep, dark red color, offering rich aromas of currant, plum, wild berry, and spice, with subtle notes of vanilla and mocha adding complexity. On the palate, it delivers medium-bodied black-cherry flavors, followed by bittersweet chocolate and spice, developing complexity from its firm, quiet, and supple core. The 1998 vintage hails from the Peumo Vineyard in Chile's Rapel Valley, an area renowned for producing high-quality Merlot. Aged in French oak barrels, this wine showcases the winemaker's dedication to crafting expressive and balanced wines. Over time, it has evolved to reveal a harmonious blend of fruit and oak influences, making it a noteworthy example of Chilean Merlot.

About the grape

Merlot, originally from Bordeaux, France, was introduced to Chile in the mid-19th century. For many years, Chilean vineyards mistakenly identified a significant portion of their Merlot plantings as Carménère, a similar-looking grape. This confusion wasn't resolved until 1994, when Carménère was correctly identified as a distinct variety. The Rapel Valley, particularly the Peumo area, has since become renowned for producing high-quality Merlot, benefiting from its Mediterranean climate and diverse soils. Concha y Toro's 1998 Marques de Casa Concha Merlot showcases the potential of this region, highlighting the unique characteristics that Chilean Merlot has developed over time.

Quick facts

• 🍇 The 1998 vintage of Marques de Casa Concha Merlot from Concha y Toro was crafted in Chile's Rapel Valley, a region renowned for its ideal conditions for Merlot cultivation.
• 🍷 This wine is composed entirely of Merlot grapes, a varietal celebrated for its smooth texture and rich fruit flavors.
• 🌎 Concha y Toro, established in 1883, is one of the largest wine producers in Latin America, exporting to over 135 countries worldwide.
• 👑 The Marques de Casa Concha line was created to honor the noble title conferred upon the Concha y Toro family by King Philip V of Spain in 1718.
• 😋 The 1998 vintage of this Merlot was noted for its soft tannins and hints of plums, cedar, and berries, offering considerable pleasure to wine enthusiasts.

Palate profile

Producer

Founded in 1883 by Don Melchor de Santiago Concha y Toro and his wife, Emiliana Subercaseaux, Concha y Toro is Chile's largest wine producer and exporter, with a presence in over 130 countries. The winery is renowned for its iconic Casillero del Diablo brand, inspired by a legend that Don Melchor spread rumors of the devil inhabiting his cellar to deter wine thieves. In 1994, Concha y Toro played a pivotal role in the rediscovery of the Carmenère grape, previously thought extinct, solidifying Chile's position as the world's leading producer of this variety. The winery's commitment to quality and innovation has earned it numerous accolades, including being named among the World's Most Admired Wine Brands by Drinks International.