Full Review

Casillero del Diablo

Casillero del Diablo
2018 Reserva Carmenere, Central Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Carmenère

Date Tasted:
Country: Chile
Alcohol: 13.5%
88 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$12
Best Buy

Casillero del Diablo
2018 Reserva Carmenere, Central Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Carmenère

Date Tasted:
Country: Chile
Alcohol: 13.5%
Ruby black color. Inviting aromas of sliced jalapeños, honey, ripe blackberries, juicy plum, and black peppercorn with a satiny, vibrant, dryish medium body and a seamless, medium-length raspberry, dried fig, and hints of chocolate finish with medium tannins and moderate oak flavor. A lip-smacking Chilean Carmenere with a nice balance of fruity and green pepper notes.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth & Oaky
Aroma Aroma: sliced jalapenos, honey, ripe blackberries, juicy plum, and black peppercorn
Taste Flavor: raspberry, dried fig, and hints of chocolate
Sweetness Sweetness: Dryish
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A lip-smacking Chilean Carmenere with a nice balance of fruity and green pepper notes.

The Producer

Fetzer Vineyards

The Producer
12901 Old River Road
Hopland, CA 95449
USA
1 707-744-1250

Their Portfolio

89 1000 Stories 2017 Bourbon Barrel-Aged, Zinfandel, California 15.7% (USA) $19.00.
BR Bonterra 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.8% (USA) $16.00. - Bronze Medal
92 Bonterra 2017 Merlot, Mendocino County 14.1% (USA) $16.00.
87 Bonterra 2018 Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $14.00.
85 Bonterra 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, California 13.3% (USA) $14.00.
88 Bonterra 2018 Rosé, Mendocino County 13% (USA) $16.00.
88 Bonterra 2017 Equinox Red, California 14.5% (USA) $16.00.
89 Bonterra 2017 Zinfandel, Mendocino County 14.8% (USA) $16.00.
85 Bonterra 2018 Blue Heron Vineyard Dry Muscat, Muscat, Mendocino County 13% (USA) $16.00.
87 Bonterra 2018 Young Red, Mendocino County 13.4% (USA) $16.00.
85 Bonterra NV Red Blend, California 14.5% (USA) $23.00.
86 Bonterra NV Sauvignon Blanc, California 13.2% (USA) $23.00.
91 Bonterra 2018 Pinot Noir, Mendocino County 13.8% (USA) $18.00.
89 Bonterra 2019 Pinot Noir, Mendocino County 13.8% (USA) $18.00.
88 Casillero del Diablo 2018 Reserva Carmenere, Central Valley 13.5% (Chile) $12.00.
89 Casillero del Diablo 2019 Reserva, Carmenere, Central Valley 13.5% (Chile) $12.00.
88 Cono Sur 2020 Bicicleta Reserva, Chardonnay, Chile 13% (Chile) $8.00.
86 Frontera 2019 After Dark Red Blend, Central Valley 12% (Chile) $6.00.
85 Frontera 2019 After Dark, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley 12% (Chile) $6.00.
BR Frontera 2019 After Dark, Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley 12.5% (Chile) $6.00. - Bronze Medal
87 Trivento 2018 Amado Sur Red Blend, Malbec, Mendoza 14% (Argentina) $18.00.

Carmenere

Wine Glass Cabernet.jpg
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
Carmenère is a red wine produced from the eponymous variety in Chile. It was originally thought to be Merlot that was brought over from Bordeaux in the 19th century, but in the mid-1990s, research proved it was not Merlot, but indeed Carmenère, which had been thought of as extinct.

Top examples originate from the warm Maipo and Colchagua valleys in Chile; the wines are medium- to medium-full in body and offer red cherry fruit along with distinct pepper, tobacco and brown spice aromas and flavors. While early versions were rather bitter, recent examples have displayed great balance and refinement.

Enjoy Carmenère between three to seven years after the vintage date in most cases. The wines pair well with most red meats and are especially enjoyable with heartier fare, such as grilled meats and game.