Charles Smith Velvet Devil Merlot

Charles Smith Velvet Devil Merlot is a Columbia Valley, Washington red wine blending 89% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Malbec at 13.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Named to Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Best Buys list at #23 in 2016, this bottling has earned consistent critical attention for delivering concentrated dark fruit, cedar, and tobacco character well above its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington  |  Style: Red Blend (Merlot-dominant)  |  Winery: Charles Smith Wines, Prosser, WA

Production & Heritage

Charles Smith Wines operates out of Prosser, Washington, in the heart of the Columbia Valley — one of the state's most prolific winegrowing regions. The Velvet Devil undergoes whole-berry fermentation with native yeast, followed by extended maceration of 30 days or more. After malolactic fermentation completes, the wine is left on remaining uncrushed grape skins with no racking, a technique that builds texture and depth uncommon in value-tier Merlots. Aging takes place in French oak barrels (30% new) for 10 months, contributing structure without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe blackberry and blueberry, layered with sweet pipe tobacco and cedar. A subtle undercurrent of cherry pastry and balsa wood adds complexity as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is plush and immediate, coating the palate with concentrated dark plum and bittersweet cocoa. At mid-palate, flavors of cassis and espresso emerge alongside a savory, almost smoky quality. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec in the blend provide a backbone of tannin that keeps the richness in check without turning austere.

Finish: The finish is smooth and medium-long, with lingering notes of blue fruit, lemon peel, and a whisper of applewood smoke. The texture stays satiny throughout, living up to its name.

How to Drink Velvet Devil

Velvet Devil rewards pouring at cellar temperature — around 60–65°F — with 15 to 20 minutes of air to let the darker aromatics open up. Its fruit-forward, plush profile also makes it a strong cocktail and sangria base. A Red Wine Sangria built on this Merlot benefits from the concentrated dark berry core. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) works surprisingly well here, as the wine's richness and low bitterness keep the drink balanced. A Mulled Wine preparation draws out the existing tobacco and baking spice notes into something warming and aromatic.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want more complexity than a basic table wine
• Introducing someone to Washington State reds without a steep price commitment
• Steak night or backyard grilling with friends
• Building a case of reliable, food-friendly reds for everyday rotation

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Velvet Devil taste like? Velvet Devil delivers concentrated blackberry, dark plum, and bittersweet cocoa with accents of cedar, pipe tobacco, and espresso. The texture is notably satiny and smooth for a wine in its price range.

How does Velvet Devil compare to Columbia Crest H3 Merlot? Both are Columbia Valley Merlots positioned as everyday drinkers, but Velvet Devil's extended maceration and native-yeast fermentation tend to produce a richer, more textured mouthfeel. Columbia Crest H3 typically leans lighter and more fruit-forward with less oak influence.

Is Velvet Devil good for sipping on its own? Yes — its plush tannins and layered dark-fruit profile make it an easy standalone pour, particularly with a few minutes of air to open the aromatics.

Where is Velvet Devil made? Velvet Devil is produced by Charles Smith Wines in Prosser, Washington, using fruit sourced from the Columbia Valley AVA, a large and diverse winegrowing region in eastern Washington known for warm days and cool nights.

What foods pair well with Velvet Devil? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's smoky cedar notes. Braised short ribs mirror its richness and dark fruit. Aged cheddar or Gouda amplify the cocoa and tobacco undertones. Mushroom risotto plays off the wine's earthy, savory side. Dark chocolate desserts echo the bittersweet cocoa on the palate.

What sizes does Velvet Devil come in? Velvet Devil is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Velvet Devil worth the price? Velvet Devil positions squarely as a value-tier red that consistently over-delivers — its Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Best Buys placement and repeated scores of 88–90 points confirm that it punches above its weight class for an everyday Columbia Valley Merlot.

Why Velvet Devil?

What separates Velvet Devil from the crowded field of sub-premium Merlots is process. Extended maceration of 30-plus days with no racking after malolactic fermentation is a production commitment you rarely see at this price point — it builds the kind of satiny, mouth-coating texture that typically requires a much larger investment. The result has earned recognition from Wine Enthusiast on multiple occasions, including a 90-point score and a spot on their Top 100 Best Buys. For drinkers who wrote off Merlot after the "Sideways" era, Velvet Devil is a compelling argument that Washington State never got that memo.