Wine Review - Casillero del Diablo 2004 Shiraz Popped into the LCBO at Queen Quay on Friday, among other things, picked up a bottle of Casillero del Diablo's 2004 Shiraz... I was thinking since I've been enjoying Auzzie Shiraz so much, why not try a Shiraz from another county... I figure, hey Chile has good wine, and it's pretty warm there... Worth a shot... Anyhow, the label grabbed me, and check out the mini-history:

It all started in the year 1883 when Don Melchor de Concha y Toro, founder
of the Winery, brought back to Chile the most exclusive grape vines from the
Bordeaux region of France.

These varieties developed extraordinarily well in the fertile Maipo Valley
soil achieving unexpectedly good results. Aware of just how good his wine was,
Don Melchor de Concha y Toro decided to set some of the best wines aside for his
family's circle.

In an area, set apart specifically, these wines were kept at the end of his
magnificent cellar to assure constant conditions of temperature and
humidity.

Don Melchor de Concha y Toro, realized after a while that these wines were
mysteriously disappearing.

After thinking the situation through he came to the conclusion that local
people were stealing his wines.

Knowing how superstitious locals were, he decided to say that the Devil
lived in this cellar.

The story proved his word and had good results, fear discouraged thieves
and never again did one bottle disappear. His plan had worked and this
simple rumor began to turn into a Legend.

Local people became convinced that the Devil did actually live there, there
were even those who said they had seen him.

Now, more than 100 years later, the Legend that Don Melchor de Concha y
Toro created is still alive within these walls. This is how the name of
this cellar came about and since has been adopted by perhaps Chile's most famous
win around the world. Casillero del Diablo, the Devil's Cellar.

Now that you've experienced the mystery behind the Legend, its your turn to spread the rumor around the world.

Anyhow, it is a DAMN good Shiraz, myself and my guests on Friday night enjoyed it thoroughly... I've picked up another bottle, and look forward to trying their Cabernet and other varietals...

Also, check out their web site, it's fantastic!

http://www.casillerodeldiablo.com/  ¶ 10:26 PM