Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Malbec

Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Malbec is a 100% Malbec wine from Chile's Central Valley, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2020 vintage earned 87 points from Wine Enthusiast, which praised its balance, cooked blackberry flavors, and value positioning — a consistent hallmark of this widely produced yet carefully managed expression.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Central Valley, Chile  |  Varietal: 100% Malbec  |  Producer: Concha y Toro

Production & Heritage

Concha y Toro, founded in 1883 by Don Melchor Concha y Toro in Santiago, Chile, is now one of the largest wine producers in Latin America. The Casillero Del Diablo Malbec draws fruit from vineyards planted in alluvial, rocky, and stony soils with granitic subsoil across the Central Valley, a broad appellation that benefits from warm days and cool Pacific-influenced nights. The wine is aged in American oak barrels, which contribute the toasty vanilla and cocoa undertones that distinguish this bottling from unoaked Malbecs at a similar tier. Remarkably, Concha y Toro produces approximately 2.6 million bottles of this Malbec alone — a feat of large-scale winemaking that still delivers recognizable varietal character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep inky purple in the glass, the nose opens with luscious dark fruit — blackberry and dark plum — before moving into layers of black cherry, cracked pepper, and subtle vanilla. Hints of dark chocolate and gentle smoke linger underneath.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, with ripe purple and black plum flavors dominating the first impression. At mid-palate, spicy cocoa and oak-derived warmth emerge, supported by light, approachable tannins and balanced acidity. The overall impression is mouth-filling but not heavy, with enough structure to hold attention.

Finish: Medium in length with a toasty, lush quality. Lingering notes of dark plum and bittersweet cocoa fade gently, leaving a clean and satisfying close.

How to Drink Casillero Del Diablo Malbec

This Malbec drinks well at a light cellar temperature around 60–64°F (16–18°C), and benefits from a few minutes of breathing after the pour. Its juicy, approachable structure also makes it a strong cocktail and sangria base. A Red Wine Sangria works naturally here, as the dark fruit intensity stands up to citrus and brandy additions. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) turns its plum-forward character into a surprisingly refreshing long drink. For a sophisticated riff, try it in a New York Sour — floated over a whiskey sour, the Malbec's berry notes create a striking visual and flavor contrast.

Best For

• Weeknight dinner pairing with grilled meats or pasta
• Introducing a curious drinker to Chilean Malbec
• Hosting a casual wine tasting on a budget
• Stocking a home bar with a reliable, food-friendly red

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Casillero Del Diablo Malbec taste like? It delivers ripe black plum and cooked blackberry flavors layered with spicy cocoa, vanilla from American oak aging, and light, smooth tannins. Wine Enthusiast described it as "very easy to drink and a good value."

How does Casillero Del Diablo Malbec compare to Argentine Malbecs? Chilean Malbec from the Central Valley tends to show slightly brighter acidity and a leaner structure than the fuller-bodied, more concentrated Malbecs typically produced in Mendoza, Argentina. This bottling leans into approachability and fruit purity rather than power and extraction.

Is Casillero Del Diablo Malbec good for beginners? Yes — its soft tannins, generous fruit, and balanced acidity make it one of the more accessible Malbecs available, and its consistent quality across vintages means the experience is reliable.

Where is Casillero Del Diablo Malbec made? It is produced by Concha y Toro, Chile's largest and most historic wine producer, founded in 1883 and headquartered near Santiago. The grapes are sourced from vineyards across Chile's Central Valley.

What foods pair well with Casillero Del Diablo Malbec? Grilled steak or lamb chops complement its dark fruit and oak spice. Empanadas — especially beef — echo the wine's South American roots. Hard aged cheeses like Manchego match its tannin structure. Slow-braised short ribs mirror its cocoa and plum depth. Dark chocolate desserts pick up on the wine's bittersweet finish.

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

Is Casillero Del Diablo Malbec worth the price? It positions firmly as an entry-level Malbec, and its 87-point Wine Enthusiast rating for the 2020 vintage and Decanter World Wine Awards Gold for the 2008 vintage suggest consistent overperformance within the value category.

Why Casillero Del Diablo Malbec?

The sheer scale of this wine's production — roughly 2.6 million bottles — makes its consistency a genuine achievement rather than an afterthought. Aged in American oak and sourced from rocky, alluvial vineyard soils across the Central Valley, it delivers varietal typicity that belies its accessible price tier. An 87-point score from Wine Enthusiast and a Decanter Gold medal across different vintages confirm that this is not a one-off success but a repeatable standard. For drinkers looking for a dark-fruited, oak-touched Chilean Malbec that performs reliably year after year, few bottlings at this level match its track record.