Description
Merlot is the world's most popular red grape thanks largely to the rise in favour of right bank clarets. These include Pomerol and Saint-Emilion in particular, which today are some of the most sought-after and expensive red wines in the world. The variety is softer than its Bordeaux cousin, Cabernet Sauvignon - all voluptuous, velvety plum fruit with gentler tannins, yet still, in the best wines, with the capacity to age.

Don Cayetano is from the Luis Felipe Edwards estate - a rather grand property which was founded in Colchagua 30 years back. First vines were planted, then a winery completed in 1995. The family live at the centre of these vineyards, in a beautiful, old colonial-style house. The estate is certainly lavish, with chandeliers even in the cellar!

This smooth red is made purely from Merlot, sourced from the family's three vineyards within Colchagua plus a few from their vines in trendy Leyda and San Antonio. By combining these different parcels, the winemaker is able to obtain the perfect balance between rich, ripe fruit, aroma and structure.

You can expect particularly good quality in this wine thanks to the conditions enjoyed in 2007. It was a long, drawn-out vintage, described by Wine Spectator as: "great - the wines are expressive in aromas, full in colour and concentration".

Vinalies Internationales Paris 2008, France

Don Cayetano Merlot 2007 is available in the following cases: