Casillero del Diablo Merlot Revisited

It was just earlier this year that I posted a review of the 2010 Casillero del Diablo merlot and now we’re on to the 2011.  Although it seems that I could taste a different wine every day of my life and never run out of new wines, I do like to revisit wines I’ve tasted in the past.  Particularly when they are wines I know the audience here can easily find.

One thing I look for in a wine is consistency from vintage to vintage — particularly if it’s consistently good.  The 2010 Casillero del Diablo merlot was good, although not exceptional.  And that’s the story with the 2011 too.

As I’ve mentioned before, Casillero del Diablo is a brand in the Concha y Toro portfolio — the largest wine producer in Chile.  Some wine snobs would refer to this as a “bulk wine” and wouldn’t even consider drinking it due to that fact.  But if it tastes good, I’ll give it a chance.

Loads of cedar and plum aromas dominate the nose on this merlot.  It also shows some blackberry and herbal fragrances.  The flavors are pretty dense but not overly jammy, like many merlots can be.  It offers blackberry, plum, black olive and beet flavors.  There’s a touch of spice in it too.  It’s a little bit bitter, particularly toward the finish.  It’s fairly earthy, not just a fruit bomb.  Overall, it’s good.

Wine: Casillero del Diablo
Variety: Merlot
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 85
Price: $12.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.