Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Merlot 2022

Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Merlot is a smooth, medium-bodied Chilean red built around ripe cherry, plum and red berry fruit, with liquorice, chocolate, vanilla and a gentle smoky edge. The palate is silky and balanced, with low astringency, fine tannins and a pleasingly dry finish, making it easy to enjoy without feeling anonymous. Sourced from Chile's Central Valley, where Mediterranean conditions meet Andean influence, this is a dependable crowd-pleaser for pasta, mushroom risotto, soft cheeses or lightly spiced meats. A smart pick when you want generous Merlot flavour and very little fuss.

What the winery says:

Casillero del Diablo places this Merlot in its Reserva range, with fruit from the Central Valley. The winery describes alluvial, rocky and stony soils, including hillside sites with granitic subsoil, and a Mediterranean climate marked by influence from the Andes. It characterises the wine as medium-bodied, silky and smooth, with cherry and liquorice aromas, touches of toffee and vanilla, flavours of chocolate and red berries, and an elegant, balanced finish. Serve at 18 to 20°C with soft cheeses, pasta, risotto or lightly seasoned meat.

What the experts say:

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 4.5 Stars and 90 Points (2022)
"Attractively ripe and fragrant, the wine shows sweet plum, dark cherry, floral, green olive and almond notes, leading to a succulent palate that's supple and lingering. Well supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing fruity and pleasingly dry. At its best: now to 2027."