Casillero del Diablo
Some of the best Chile has to offer
The Concha Y Toro vineyard was founded in 1883 by Don Melchor and his wife Do?a Emiliana. As other visionaries did, he brought to Chile the best grape varieties of the Bordeaux region: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Merlot and Carn?m?re. The winery grew to become one of the biggest in Chile and since 1994 shares of Vi?a Concha Y Doro have been traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
The Casona de Pirque was built by Don Melchor Concha Y Toro in 1875 as his family home. Although it was built in the distinctive style of a Chilean country home, his wife gave the house a few touches of French architecture for good measure. A major component of the Concha Y Toro heritage, the Pirque manor house is now used to welcome visitors and distinguished guests from all over the world.
The house was well known for the many tales and stories spun around it. In fact, the name Casillero del Diablo (Devil’s Wine Cellar) came from a favourite anecdote of Don Melchor. According to his workers, Don Melchor, wishing to keep his choicest wines from prying eyes and lips, spread word that the devil himself dwelled in the cellar. His employees were thus scared away from the temptation to steal and Don Melchor was able to cellar and enjoy his best wines. Casillero de Diablo became a brand of Concha Y Toro.
There are currently seven varietal wines available which have been put to the test:
2004 Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley, Alcohol Volume 13%
A great, well-priced Sauvignon. The Central Valley has many microclimates, and with cooling ocean breezes it isn’t hard to produce a refreshing wine. Straw yellow in colour with green hues, and on the nose it has aromas of herbs, melon and ripe fruits. Mildly grassy with a well-balanced acidity on the palate. Match it up with mild cheese and green olives or think salmon and shellfish. Drink now at 9?C as age is beginning to show.
2005 Casillero del Diablo, Viognier, Casablanca Valley, Alcohol Volume 14%
The grapes for this wine came from Los Perales and Los Ovalle vineyards. Elegant and perfumed, rich Viognier grape, light yellow in colour with ripe apricot, peach and vanilla. The palate is mellow with sweet oak, apricot and custard flavours that drift into a long finish. Served at 11?C, this wine is ideal with mild creamy curries.
2003 Casillero del Diablo Carn?m?re, Rapel Valley, Alcohol Volume 14%
A good introduction to the Carn?m?re grape. Dark and deep crimson red, the nose offers plenty of fleshy plum and black cherry fruit flavours with pretty notes of vanilla, tobacco and lavender. Soft, supple, the black fruit, chocolate and spice on the palate is framed by toasty American oak. Gouda and Gruyere cheeses come to mind along with braised or grilled red and white meat with vegetable and herbs, serve at 17?.
2005 Casillero del Diablo Malbec, Rapel Valley, alcohol Volume 13.5%
A Chilean Malbec with a rich purple colour and lots of overripe plum on the nose. Medium body in the mouth, medium tannins, it was lush and smooth, with more plums and a hint of dark chocolate in the mouth. Tasty but average finish, great with sirloin tip roast at 17?C.
2004 Casillero del Diablo Merlot Central Valley, Alcohol Volume 13.5%
Aged in American oak and stainless steel, this deep red wine has a bouquet of cedar and lead pencil with black raspberry, black cherry and plum scents with a touch of bitter chocolate. The fruit segues into the mouth with hints of mocha and herbs. Pasta with porcini mushrooms; it will handle the seasoning and smokiness of barbeque meat particularly a medium cooked lamb chop, serve at 17? C.
2004 Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley, Alcohol Volume 13.5%
Bright, dark red, the nose seems dark and deep. The wine was primarily fruit driven, fruit forward and well balanced. Ripe cherry, plum and a hint of vanilla linger in the glass. The palate carries through with cherry and plum fruit but finishes with smooth approachable tannins and a touch of chocolate. Beef just seems to go well with Cabernet Sauvignon any way you serve it, hamburgers, steaks or even pot roast, serve at 18?C.
2005 Casillero del Diablo Pinot Noir, Casablanca Valley, Alcohol Volume 14.5%
A fruit-driven, bright red Pinot with aromas of strawberries, raspberries and toasty oak, preceded by a medium-body palate with good structure and lengthy finish. I agree with the winemaker, this wine is excellent with venison and Camembert cheese.
Imported and distributed by Ghalanos
