Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Dark Red Blend

Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Dark Red Blend is a bold Chilean red wine blending Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. The 2020 vintage earned a Double Gold medal at the Sakura Awards, underscoring its intensity and quality within a competitive price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Maule Valley, Chile  |  Style: Dark Red Blend  |  Producer: Concha y Toro

Production & Heritage

Concha y Toro, founded in 1883, is one of Chile's most recognized wine producers and among the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The Dark Red Blend draws its Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes from vineyards in the Maule Valley, one of Chile's warmest and most productive growing regions, where long sun exposure drives deep fruit concentration. The wine is aged in American oak barrels, which contribute vanilla and spice layers to the finished blend. This expression was developed as a darker, more intense counterpart to the traditional Casillero del Diablo lineup, leaning into a bolder, fruit-forward style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The bouquet opens with an intense wave of mocha and caramel, followed by ripe dark berries and plum. Deeper notes of cola nut and a faint spiciness emerge as the wine opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is soft, immediately giving way to densely packed black cherry and dark plum fruit at mid-palate. Firm yet round tannins provide structure without harshness, while hints of bitter chocolate and concentrated berry fruit fill out a velvety, mouth-coating texture. The oak influence brings measured vanilla and wood spice that sit in balance with the fruit.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering dark fruit and a subtle mocha undertone. The tannins fade smoothly, leaving a clean, slightly spicy close.

How to Drink Casillero Del Diablo Dark Red

Pour at cool room temperature — around 16–18°C (61–64°F) — and allow ten to fifteen minutes of breathing time to let the oak and fruit integrate fully. A large-bowled glass helps open up the aromatic complexity.

• Red Wine Sangria: The dark berry concentration and spice notes hold their own against citrus and brandy without getting lost.
• Kalimotxo: The blend's bold fruit and soft tannins pair surprisingly well with cola in this Spanish classic, echoing the wine's own cola-nut character.
• Mulled Wine: The mocha, plum, and vanilla profile provides a natural foundation for warm spices like cinnamon and star anise.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners calling for a full-bodied red that doesn't require decanting
• Introducing bold New World reds to friends exploring wine beyond entry-level options
• Barbecue gatherings where grilled meats need a fruit-driven, tannic partner
• Building an affordable collection of award-winning Chilean wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Casillero Del Diablo Dark Red taste like? It delivers ripe black cherry and dark plum fruit wrapped in velvety tannins, with supporting notes of mocha, bitter chocolate, and vanilla from American oak aging.

How does Casillero Del Diablo Dark Red compare to Apothic Red? Both target the dark, fruit-forward blend category at a similar price point, but the Casillero Del Diablo Dark Red draws its character from Chilean-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah aged in American oak, resulting in firmer tannins and a less overtly sweet profile. Apothic Red, a California blend, tends toward residual sugar and a softer, jammier style.

Is Casillero Del Diablo Dark Red good for sipping on its own? Yes — the balanced tannins, moderate 13.5% ABV, and layered dark fruit make it approachable as a stand-alone pour, especially with a few minutes of aeration.

Where is Casillero Del Diablo Dark Red made? It is produced by Concha y Toro using grapes sourced from the Maule Valley in central Chile, one of the country's largest and warmest wine-growing regions located south of Santiago.

What foods pair well with Casillero Del Diablo Dark Red? Grilled ribeye steak complements its dark fruit and firm tannins. Slow-braised short ribs mirror the wine's richness. Dark chocolate desserts echo the mocha and bitter chocolate notes. Hard aged cheeses like Manchego balance the fruit concentration. Smoky barbecue brisket matches the oak-driven vanilla and spice.

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

Is Casillero Del Diablo Dark Red worth the price? It positions as a value-tier red blend that punches above its price class, particularly given its Double Gold medal at the 2020 Sakura Awards and the depth of its oak-aged profile — a strong entry point for bold Chilean reds.

Why Casillero Del Diablo Dark Red?

The Double Gold at the 2020 Sakura Awards places this blend among the most recognized wines in its price category internationally. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah combination from Maule Valley delivers a darker, more structured profile than the standard Casillero del Diablo range, with American oak aging adding genuine complexity rather than just sweetness. Within the crowded dark-blend segment, it stands apart by relying on tannic backbone and layered fruit rather than residual sugar for its sense of richness. For drinkers seeking a full-bodied, dry red that rewards both casual pouring and attentive tasting, this expression delivers credible depth from one of Chile's most established producers.