Some of the Friday afternoon tasters.
R oger featured six wines from Casillero del Diablo, a line of wines from Conca y Toro in Argentina. The label translates as the Devil’s Cellar. When Don Melchor Concha y Toro started making wines in Argentina in the 1880’s he noticed his best wines were disappearing from his personal cellar. Legend has it he started a rumor with the winery workers that the Devil lived in the cellar. It seemed to work as the wines stopped disappearing. The same cellar is still standing today, housing some of the world’s best wines.
This line of wines are value priced, all are $8.99, and well worth exploring. The Rose is not too sweet, a nice summer sipper. The Carmenere and the Red Blend were my favorite.
Roger included a great Belgian brew, Tripel Karmeliet, a true triple grain that comes in at 8.4% ABV. A really nice brew (better hurry, they only have 1 bomber of it left).
As usual the nibbles were great.
Where: Vineyard Wine Market (map), 4414 Evans to Lock Road, Evans, GA. (706) 922-9463
When: Friday, June 30, 2017, 5-7 PM and Saturday, July 1, 2017, 5-7 PM.
Cost: $8 for the flight & food pairings
Here are the wines to be presented (click to see more):
- Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2016
- Casillero del Diablo Rosé 2016
- Casillero del Diablo Malbec 2015
- Casillero del Diablo Red Blend
- Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2015
- Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
- Tripel Karmeliet
Here are the detailed wine notes:
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2016 | Casablanca – Rapel, Chile
With origins in Bordeaux, France, this variety is a call to freshness. Fermented in stainless steel tanks. It has pale yellow color with green hues, very bright and clean. The aroma is fresh, due to citric hints. Presence of pears, lime and some tropical touches with a greenish finish thanks to the presence of green apples. On the palate it is an elegant wine due to the intensity and balanced acidity. The citric characteristics from the coastal areas of the Central Valley stand out. It is fresh from the beginning to the end, where the balance of fruit and acidity refresh the palate. It can be paired with scallops carpaccio or fresh seafood such as oysters, clams, crab and shrimps. Website
Cost: $8.99
Casillero del Diablo Rosé 2016 | Chile
Fermented in stainless steel tanks. The color is light salmon-pink. The aroma is fresh and delicate notes of blackberries, raspberries, and cherries with a touch of spice. The palate has expressive fruity notes recalling raspberries and strawberries with impressive freshness and acidity from start to finish. Food pairing: Ideal as an aperitif and also pairs perfectly with light fish and white cheeses. Website
Cost: $8.99
Casillero del Diablo Malbec 2015 | Central Valley, Chile
Aged in oak barrels. The color is intense and deep ruby red. It has delicious aromas of black fruit such as berries, plums and cherries, followed by pepper and subtle touches of vanilla and black chocolate. All very well balanced. On the palate the beginning is marked by the dark plums and spices making this wine very generous in taste. The final structure is wide and round thanks to the presence of the barrels that has been excellently integrated. The after taste is long and elegant. Harmonizes perfectly with all types of barbecues, ripe cheeses and sweet- and-sour sauces. Stews and herbs are another partner for this wine.–From their Website
Cost: $8.99
Casillero del Diablo Red Blend | Central Valley, Chile
The color is an intense, deep purple. Focused aromas of ripe black fruit, plum, and black cherry are apparent upfront, followed by dark chocolate notes. The palate has a velvety smooth and balanced texture, highlighting mild tannins with hints of toast and spice, and is followed by a long, satisfying finish. It is an enjoyable match for steak with BBQ sauce, rosemary lamb chops, and spicy ribs. Website
Cost: $8.99
Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2015 | Central Valley, Chile
This variety disappeared from its place of origin in Médoc, north of Bordeaux, France following the phylloxera outbreak in the 19th century. It reappeared in Chile at the end of the 20th Century. Aged in oak barrels. Its color is dark and deep purple. The aroma has luscious fruit flavors. Dark plums and blackcurrant, black chocolate with hints of coffee and toasted oak barrels. The palate has notes of dark plums and spice, generously framed by toasty American oak with a soft and well structured mouth ling texture. It expresses marvelously well with game meat, garnished with sweet- and-sour sauces and berries. Website
Cost: $8.99
Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 | Central Valley, Chile
Aged in American oak barrels. The color is a deep, intense ruby red. The nose expresses pronounced and captivating notes of cherries, blackcurrants, and black plums along with a subtle touch of vanilla from ageing in oak barrels. Medium bodied with silky tannins and long, ripe fruit and berry aftertaste, with impressive balance of fruit and polished tannins. Pair with red meats, well-seasoned dishes, and aged cheeses such as Gruyere or blue.–From their Website
Cost: $8.99
Tripel Karmeliet | Belgium
Three grains in one beer… Tripel Karmeliet is still brewed to an authentic beer recipe from 1679 originating in the former Carmelite monastery in Dendermonde. Written over 300 years ago, this recipe describes the use of three kinds of grain: wheat, oats and barley. The name Tripel karmeliet thus refers both to its origin and its in-bottle refermentation. From many trial brews of multigrain tripels carried out at our brewery in the 90s, it appears that the particular historic combination of the 3 kinds of grain still remains the ideal blend.–From their Website
