Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Carmenere

Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Carmenere is a 750ml Chilean red wine made from 100% Carmenere grapes at 13.5% ABV. The 2019 vintage earned 89 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the wine draws its fruit primarily from Concha y Toro's extensive Carmenere plantings in the Peumo area of the Rapel Valley — one of Chile's most respected zones for this grape.

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

Production & Heritage

Concha y Toro, founded in 1883, is Chile's largest and most internationally recognized wine producer. The Casillero Del Diablo range — named for the legendary cellar said to be guarded by the devil — sources its Carmenere from roughly 700 hectares of dedicated plantings, with approximately 400 hectares concentrated in the Peumo sub-region of the Rapel Valley. The wine is aged in American oak barrels, which contribute toasty, vanilla-laced structure to the naturally dark and herbaceous character of the Carmenere grape. Annual production reaches approximately 5 million liters, making this one of the most widely available expressions of Chile's signature red varietal.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with dark plum and blackcurrant, layered with herbaceous notes reminiscent of tomato leaf and a subtle mintiness. Beneath that initial wave, aromas of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and toasted oak emerge.

Taste: The entry is medium-bodied and fruit-forward, led by blackberry and black plum. Mid-palate, spice and dark chocolate deepen the profile, while American oak framing adds a toasty, slightly sweet undercurrent. The overall impression is generous without being heavy.

Finish: The finish is moderate in length, with lingering notes of coffee, baking spice, and a gentle herbal quality. Oak tannins provide a smooth, rounded close.

How to Drink Casillero Del Diablo Carmenere

Serve at 16–18°C (61–64°F) for best expression of the fruit and spice notes; a few minutes of air in the glass helps integrate the oak. This Carmenere's medium body and dark-fruit core also make it a strong cocktail-friendly red.

• Kalimotxo — the wine's chocolate and plum depth stands up to cola without losing character.
• Red Wine Spritzer — a splash of sparkling water brightens the herbaceous notes and makes for easy warm-weather drinking.
• New York Sour — the dark berry intensity and spice float beautifully over a whiskey sour base.

Best For

• Introducing someone to Carmenere as a Chilean grape
• Weeknight dinners that call for a reliable, food-friendly red
• Building a tasting flight comparing Chilean red varietals
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing bottle to a casual gathering

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Casillero Del Diablo Carmenere taste like? It delivers a medium-bodied profile centered on dark plum, blackberry, and black chocolate, with supporting notes of coffee, baking spice, and toasted oak. A subtle herbaceous quality — characteristic of Carmenere — runs through the palate.

How does Casillero Del Diablo Carmenere compare to Santa Rita 120 Carmenere? Both are widely available Chilean Carmeneres in a similar value tier, but Casillero Del Diablo tends to show more prominent oak influence and darker chocolate notes from its American oak aging. Santa Rita 120 Carmenere generally leans slightly lighter and more fruit-driven with less overt oak character.

Is Casillero Del Diablo Carmenere good for beginners? Yes — its approachable, medium-bodied style with ripe fruit and soft tannins makes it an excellent entry point for drinkers exploring Chilean reds or the Carmenere grape for the first time.

Where is Casillero Del Diablo Carmenere made? It is produced by Concha y Toro in Chile, with fruit sourced primarily from the Peumo area within the Rapel Valley in Chile's Central Valley. Peumo's warm climate and clay soils are particularly well suited to ripening Carmenere fully.

What foods pair well with Casillero Del Diablo Carmenere? Grilled beef or lamb chops complement the wine's dark-fruit intensity and smoky oak. Empanadas with spiced meat fillings mirror the wine's own spice notes. Hard aged cheeses like Manchego highlight its chocolate undertones. Slow-braised pork with a mole-style sauce ties into the coffee and dark chocolate character. Roasted root vegetables match the wine's earthy, herbaceous side.

What sizes does Casillero Del Diablo Carmenere come in? The standard size is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Casillero Del Diablo Carmenere worth the price? It positions squarely as a value-tier Chilean red, and its 89-point Wine Enthusiast score for the 2019 vintage suggests it regularly over-delivers relative to its price category. For everyday drinking and casual entertaining, it represents strong value within the Carmenere segment.

Why Casillero Del Diablo Carmenere?

Few wines make Chile's signature red grape as accessible at this price point. The fruit is sourced from Concha y Toro's concentrated Carmenere holdings in Peumo — a sub-region with a proven track record for this varietal — giving the wine a depth and specificity of origin that many value-tier competitors lack. Consistent critical recognition, including 89 points from Wine Enthusiast on the 2019 vintage, confirms that the quality holds across releases. For anyone looking for a reliable, oak-aged Carmenere that delivers dark fruit, spice, and genuine varietal character, this remains one of the benchmarks in its class.