Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Chardonnay

Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Chardonnay is a 100% Chardonnay from Chile's Limarí and Casablanca Valleys, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2019 vintage earned 91 points from Descorchados, one of South America's most respected wine guides, underscoring the consistent quality this dual-valley blend delivers at its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Limarí Valley & Casablanca Valley, Chile  |  Varietal: 100% Chardonnay  |  Producer: Viña Concha y Toro

Production & Heritage

Viña Concha y Toro was founded in 1883 by Don Melchor de Concha y Toro in the Maipo Valley and has grown into Chile's largest and most internationally recognized wine producer. The Casillero del Diablo range draws its name from the winery's legendary cellar, where the founder reportedly spread rumors of a devil guarding his finest reserves to deter theft. For this Chardonnay, fruit is sourced from vineyards just kilometers from the Pacific coast in both the Limarí and Casablanca Valleys—cool-climate zones where constant ocean breezes preserve acidity and freshness. Seventy percent of the wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks to retain bright fruit character, while the remaining 30% spends six to eight months in French oak barrels, contributing creamy texture and subtle toast.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh pineapple and ripe peach greet the nose first, followed by hints of mango and a subtle biscuity quality from partial oak aging. A faint thread of acacia honey and lemon peel emerges as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, with tropical flavors of pineapple and mango taking the lead. At mid-palate, a creamy, almost buttery texture develops alongside notes of roasted hazelnut, vanilla, and a touch of coconut from the French oak component. The Limarí Valley fruit contributes elegant mineral undertones, while the Casablanca fruit brings the ripe white peach intensity that anchors the wine's core.

Finish: Medium in length with crisp acidity that keeps the tropical sweetness in check. Lingering notes of toasty oak, dried apricot, and a whisper of white pepper close things out cleanly.

How to Drink Casillero Del Diablo Chardonnay

Serve lightly chilled between 10–12°C (50–54°F) to balance the fruit richness against the wine's natural acidity. This Chardonnay is versatile enough to enjoy on its own or alongside food. A White Wine Spritzer works well here, as the tropical fruit and bright acidity hold up against sparkling water and a citrus twist. It also performs nicely in a Chardonnay Sangria with sliced stone fruit and a splash of peach liqueur, playing to the wine's natural peach and mango character. For a simple warm-weather serve, try a Wine Cooler built with this Chardonnay, a measure of elderflower cordial, and crushed ice—the honey notes in the wine complement the floral sweetness.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where an approachable, food-friendly white is needed
• Introducing someone to Chilean wine without overwhelming their palate
• Outdoor gatherings and warm-weather entertaining
• Gifting as part of a curated wine selection for white wine drinkers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Casillero Del Diablo Chardonnay taste like? It leads with bright tropical fruit—pineapple, mango, and ripe peach—layered over a creamy mid-palate of vanilla and toasty oak. Crisp acidity and a touch of mineral character from the Limarí Valley fruit keep it balanced and fresh.

How does Casillero Del Diablo Chardonnay compare to Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay? Both are popular, value-driven Chardonnays with tropical fruit profiles and partial oak aging. Casillero Del Diablo tends to lean brighter and more mineral-driven from its cool Chilean coastal vineyards, while Kendall-Jackson typically shows a richer, more butter-forward California style.

Is Casillero Del Diablo Chardonnay good for beginners? Yes—its approachable tropical fruit character, moderate 13.5% ABV, and balanced acidity make it an accessible entry point for anyone exploring Chardonnay or Chilean white wines.

Where is Casillero Del Diablo Chardonnay made? It is produced by Viña Concha y Toro, headquartered in Santiago, Chile. The grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Limarí Valley (Coquimbo region) and the Casablanca Valley, both cool-climate coastal zones in central-northern Chile.

What foods pair well with Casillero Del Diablo Chardonnay? Grilled chicken with a lemon-herb butter plays to the wine's creamy oak notes. Seared sea bass or shrimp ceviche complement its bright acidity. Mild, creamy cheeses like young Brie or Havarti echo the wine's soft texture. A Thai green curry with coconut milk bridges the tropical fruit and subtle spice in the finish.

What sizes does Casillero Del Diablo Chardonnay come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Casillero Del Diablo Chardonnay worth the price? It positions squarely in the entry-level to mid-value tier, and a 91-point score from Descorchados suggests quality that punches above that bracket. The dual-valley sourcing and partial French oak aging are production details more commonly associated with wines at a higher price point.

Why Casillero Del Diablo Chardonnay?

The split between stainless steel fermentation and six to eight months of French oak aging gives this wine a textural complexity uncommon at its price level—bright fruit without sacrificing depth. Dual sourcing from the Limarí and Casablanca Valleys is a deliberate winemaking decision: Limarí delivers mineral precision from its limestone-rich soils, while Casablanca contributes the ripe stone fruit intensity that anchors the blend. Earning 91 points from Descorchados and a Bronze Medal at the International Wine Challenge confirms this is not simply a volume-driven supermarket label but a seriously made Chilean Chardonnay. For drinkers who want New World generosity tempered by genuine cool-climate freshness, few wines at this tier deliver as convincingly.