The iconic Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto, Don Melchor 2021, reaches a new milestone in its impeccable international trajectory after being selected for the World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection 2026 (WBSS), a distinction that recognizes wines chosen by some of the most influential sommeliers in fine dining and hospitality worldwide.

The third edition of the World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection has been released, an annual list showcasing a carefully curated selection of wines from different corners of the world, chosen through a rigorous professional tasting. In this edition, 29 sommeliers and wine directors from some of the world’s most renowned restaurants gathered to taste, debate, and determine the year’s most outstanding labels.

Convened from the global network of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and led by Kristell Monot —President of WBSS 2026 and Head Sommelier at Mugaritz— the experts represented 17 countries across six continents, contributing a truly global perspective.

The final 2026 selection included 115 wines from 16 countries, spanning all varieties and styles, consolidating its position as a trusted benchmark for on-trade professionals worldwide. The list reflects the extraordinary diversity of the global wine landscape.

Within this context of global excellence, Don Melchor 2021 is part of the select group of eight Chilean wines featured in the list, reaffirming —with its extraordinary 2021 vintage, named No.1 Wine of the World by Wine Spectator— Chile’s exceptional potential to craft world-class wines capable of standing alongside the great historic appellations.

The expert panel described Don Melchor 2021 as a wine that “offers an appealing mix of sweet and savoury flavours, on the nose you’ll find black currants, blueberries, dried violets, tomato leaf, sweet tobacco, star anise and mint. The palate has an earthy attack of wet clay, bell pepper and tobacco supported by uplifting acidity and elegant, sweet tannins. With an ample mouthfeel, it finishes long and sweetly with notes of dark chocolate, cloves, vanilla and five spice. A full-bodied wine built for the long-haul”.

The 2026 edition was organized by William Reed, the publishing house responsible for influential global platforms such as The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and The World’s 50 Best Vineyards. As highlighted by Kristell Monot, the richness of the WBSS lies in the diversity of perspectives within the panel: sommeliers who not only recognize a wine’s intrinsic quality, but also understand the trends shaping the industry, from the impact of climate change to the emergence of new regions and producers.

This recognition adds to the many accolades received by the outstanding 2021 vintage, the result of a commitment to excellence and a consistent winemaking vision. It further consolidates Don Melchor’s international positioning as a benchmark for high-end Cabernet Sauvignon and reaffirms Chile’s leading role on the global wine stage, projecting excellence with identity and character.