I’ll admit that I love beautiful, funny, and themed wine labels. Wine, like music, is mood setting. So here we are in the middle of the most wonderful time of the year: Halloween, All Hallows Eve, Samhain, and Day of the Dead. I recently enjoyed samples of Casillero del Diablo (which translates to The Devil’s Cellar) from Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro and am celebrating the Halloween season with these bold stunners. Here’s what’s in my goblet (with some notes from the wine producer, because my simple “mmmmm” may not be enough winespeak)…
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2016
Rapel Valley, Chile
$11 (750ml)
Winemaking: The grapes are hand and mechanically harvested. 60% of the wine is aged in French & American oak for 9 months, while the remainder is aged in stainless steel.
Tasting Notes: Casillero del Diablo Reserva Carmenere is a deep, dark purple wine with aromas of dark plum, chocolate and hints of coffee and toasty oak. On the palate, there are notes of dark plums and spice, generously framed by toasty American oak with a soft and well-structured mouth-filling texture.
Food Pairing: Enjoy Casillero del Diablo Carmenere with meats, ripe cheese and pasta.
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Central Valley, Chile
$11 (750ml)
Winemaking: After fermentation in stainless steel tanks, 60% of the wine is aged in medium toast, American oak for 8 months, 40% is aged in stainless steel for 8 months.
Tasting Notes: Casillero del Diablo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon is a dark, ruby red with aromas of cherries, black currant and dark plums. This Cabernet Sauvignon is very concentrated, rich in flavor, perfectly balanced, and boasts a satisfying and lingering finish.
Food Pairing: This classic, well structured, perfectly balanced Cabernet Sauvignon goes well with the heartiest cuisine, including roasts, stews, game, piquant pasta dishes and robust cheeses.
Happy Halloween!