CONCHA Y TORO CASILLERO DEL DIABLO MERLOT - 2008

13.8% alcohol. 90% Merlot, 10% Carmenere. From Chile, South America.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with vanilla, smoke, oak and black fruit on the nose. Very smooth with plum, cassis, and herbs.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

A very simple, mouth-pleasing Merlot. Very much a wine I would expect to find at a big cocktail party or event since it would be a general crowd-pleaser, but for the wine aficionados out there this one is probably too simplistic. It is missing character and/or a dynamic expression that would make it something special. Retails for around $11 a bottle.