Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Reserva Privada doesn't sound very Italian does it? Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Reserva Privada isn't Italian, not by any stretch of the E-magination. However, this weekend I sampled the worlds worst Barolo. I can't even bash the producer because the bottle was bought in London in Whistlestop by a friend who thoughtfully saw the word "Barolo" and bought it for me. There was no producer. Alarm Bells? Apparently not! As kind and sweet a gesture as this was, we were both spitting it out and pouring it down the drain and refilling our glasses with this famous mass produced Chilean number. Casillero del Diablo have loads of products that I will definately be checking out on the basis of this wine, today I am raving about their 65% Cabernet Sauvignon & 35% Syrah blend Reserva Privada retailing around $13 or £8.
I have to admit, I eyed it with some suspicion. It looks fabulous, has a great name and the reserva came in at something like £8 but in actual fact, it was really very good, one dimensional, could have come from anywhere sure, but as far as grape juice goes, it was a fruit hit and head and shoulders over this nameless shameful Barolo (and about a third of the price). Back to Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo, I had the 2005, but as with a lot of these mass produced wines, vintages play a smaller role in the overall quality. I have found my second fruity guilty pleasure to go alongside Gallo Zinfandel and it's this wine. As a sucker for good looks, this is an attractive wine and will appeal to the average wine buyer on so many levels, its got the groovy label and the cool name, its got the fruit, its got the "reserva" option if you want to feel a bit special, it's a wine marketing success, and its Chilean, which is kinda cool lets face it. Like Marcello Rios.
My London trips are always great for trying out non Italian wines, sat by the Thames with the HMS Belfast right up in my face I actually found a green Chardonnay in my glass, I don't mean it tasted vegetal or was under-ripe, I mean it was the color green. At a party that same night I got to try an Argentinian Shiraz that was pure raisins, simply raisin juice. I know to you readers sat out there in Milton Keynes or Arlington, VA this is not exciting news, but I am locked up in Italian wine jail, it makes me want to paint my face blue and shout FREEEEEDOM.
So, buy this wine. Try this wine. It's simple but its got nose, it's got palate, it's got it all going on and it's going to accompany meat dishes superbly, it's a red you can drink on its own with a bag of crisps, and if you want to recreate my life, add to the mix a fruit and nut Toblerone and watch Kill Bill I and II back to back. Perfect Sunday I reckon.
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Reserva Privada 2005 - BUY - €10
Dark ruby red in the glass, explosive spicy nose of blackcurrents, plums and pepper, a full bodied and fruity palate, smooth and well structured, firm tannins, balanced and so fruity. It has a finish, maybe a little clipped but overall, completely enjoyable and highly recommended. 90 Points
Don't forget there is still a competition live until Friday to win a case of wine click here.
Where can I buy this wine?
Europeans - Schuwo - €10
Americans - Empire Wine - $13
Australians - Can't find it online, but probably like everyone else, you can get it down the shops!
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I know, it's not Italian! Tried any Concha y Toro wines? Tried any Chilean wines? Do you think the HMS Belfast is an eye sore too? Did you like Kill Bill? What's your movie wine?
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