2009 2008 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2009
This is a delicious Sauvignon Blanc with passion fruit and melon on the nose and a clean bracing palate with good intensity of fruit.
i-winereview.com
Best Value White. Very good for the price.
Decanter Magazine
87 Points
Josh Raynolds - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Pale, brilliant gold; grassy aroma with notes of minerals and delicate lychee; classic grassy and assertive style, with mouth-puckering tartness.
Good wines over ten dollars.
The Wine Buzz - August, 2010
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Clear, pale gold with clean aromas of candied citrus and tropical notes. Dry with firm acidity and flavors of pear, citrus peel, and candied apple finishing crisp and long. Light-bodied yet mouth-filling, serve with seafood and shellfish. A superb example of this style of Sauvignon
Jodie MacKenzie Carstens - Examiner.com - Phoenix - June, 2009
Bright Mandarin orange aroma with hints of florals, sweetgrass and minerals; an orange burst of crisp flavor... Zesty and bright. Recommended.
The Wine Buzz - May, 2009
Pale yellow color with a very aromatic nose of citrus. On the palate there's a blend of peach, grapefruit, and gooseberry. Crisp, clean, round with vibrant acidity on the back-end. Very good mouthfeel and weight with hints of honey on the finish.When it comes to Sauvignon Blanc, Chile is far from the first place I turn. I instantly think of New Zealand, California or French Sancerre, but I think I may be overlooking some real potential. This white is simple, solid and delicious. A real find. 87 Points
Wine Centric - April, 2009
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2006
"...has a seductive aroma of passion fruit and mango. A slight sweetness offsets the grape's tartness. This balanced wine... is far more appealing than many stripped down, hollow Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand." * * * *
David Falchek - Sunday Voice (Wilkes-Barre PA) - January, 2007
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2005
"Quite pungent scents of capsicum and fresh herbs. Balanced, zingy flavors of lime and sour apple. Tart finish continues the flagrantly fresh theme." 88
WINE NEWS - September, 2006
"Some flowers on the nose. Lovely, clean and classy. A hint of varietal grassiness, but a great deal of restraint. Real finesse." Very Good - Best Value
Dorothy J. Gaiter & John Brecher - Wall Street Journal - May, 2006
"...keeps things clean and sophisticated. It plays the gooseberry card subtly on the nose and follows with a breezy palate presence of crisp acidity and ripe, green fruit."
Peter Rockwell - The Daily News (Halifax, NS) - March, 2006
"There are some fine bargains coming out of Chile these days, and this is certainly one of them. A consistent favorite of ours in tastings, it has some intense tastes with concentrated flavors of grapefruit and pineapple. It's tart but ripe at the same time, with a bit of mouth feel and a nice dry finish."
Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher - Smartmoney - March, 2006
"Clean and easy, with pink grapefruit flavor. Drink now."
Daily Wine Pick
Wine Spectator Online - February, 2006
"Bright and juicy with typical grass and grapefruit flavors, a fat, creamy mouthfeel and long finish with a hint of white pepper."
Tim Teichgraeber - Chow Magazine - February, 2006
"From Chile, this is a very crisp Sauvignon Blanc with citrus flavours like white grapefruit and lemon zest, and some distinct minerality. Pair it with grilled firm white fish with a squeeze of fresh lemon."
Rod Phillips - Ottawa Citizen - January, 2006
"Another great value with concentrated grapefruit and grass flavors, a soft mouthfeel from barrel fermentation and a white pepper note on the finish."
* * * 1/2
Tim Teichgraeber - Star Tribune - December, 2005
"Loaded with lime, straw and grapefruit notes on the nose. Clean and fresh on the palate with zippy citrus and gooseberry. Now in screw cap."
Rick VanSickle - Sunday Sun (Alberta CN) - November, 2006
"Chile has suddenly become a wine hot spot. Its Sauvignon Blanc is especially enjoyable – zingy and alive. Concha y Toro '“Casillero del Diablo,' a casual wine, good with seafood and salads, features mouth-popping fruit. Get 2005 or even 2006."
Dorothy Gaiter & John Brecher - Smart Money - December, 2006
"We discovered fruit cocktail aromas of pear and pineapple... We tasted lots of grapefruit in the mouth. The wine was nicely tart." Wine of the Week
Frank Sutherland - The Tennessean - December, 2006
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2004
"Chile is making some great, well-priced Sauvignon Blanc. Aromas of herbs, melon and ripe fruits, with a well-balanced fruit-acidity on the palate."
Nick Lees - Edmonton Journal - (Alberta) - January, 2007
"Fresh, light and flowery, with a sweet, melon-driven palate. Finishes snappy yet a touch sugary. For the most part it serves its purpose, which is to prep the palate for better things to come." Best Buy 85
Wine Enthusiast - July, 2005
"Move over New Zealand, here comes Chile with some great, well-priced Sauvignon Blanc. The Central Valley has many micro climates and, with cooling ocean breezes, it isn't hard to produce a refreshing wine. Aromas of herbs, melon and ripe fruits, with a well-balanced fruit-acidity on the palate. Think salmon and shellfish."
Nick Lees - The Edmonton Journal - May, 2005
"Figlike, elegant and mildly grassy, this is one of those "It costs only how much?" wines. An ideal aperitif white that prepares the palate for eating as skillfully as a slow curve sets up a blazing fastball. Match it up with mild cheeses and green olives."
F. Paul Pacult - Sky Magazine - February, 2005
"It continues to look like Chile's year, and the latest vintages from this Southern Hemisphere's winemakers' paradise are some of the best yet. So lap up this delicious, ripe, mouthwateringly verdant Sauvignon."
Jane MacQuitty - London Times - January, 2005
"Very crisp grassy nose, up front acidity with lime and lemon zest flavours on the palate but a shortish finish."
Myles McWeeney - Irish Independent - January, 2005
" It would be difficult to overstate the impressive performance of the parent winery, Concha y Toro, in the arena of volume wines. The reds and whites are equally good. This one is fresh and easy drinking." 88
Robert Whitley - Torrance Daily Breeze - November, 2004
"Sauvignon Blanc is the white wine that Chile does best. This one is crisp, vivid and a little grassy, with citrus and melon. A great wine with simple seafood."
Wine of the Week
Laurie Daniel - San Jose Mercury News - November, 2004
"Here is a good value from Chile in the white wine bin. Good varietal characteristics with generous tropical fruit and pit fruit character. Good acidity."
Tom Marquardt & Patrick Darr - The Capital - October, 2004
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2003
"We smelled honey, violets and smoke mingling with nectarine and green persimmon. The smoky and floral qualities continued in the mouth, but the wine was very green, and the predominant flavor was tomato stem."
Frank & Kate Sutherland - Ocean County Observer - August, 2005
"Even the nose is mouthwatering—crisp and clean, with some nice herbal, varietal aromas. It's a complete wine with a little bit of weight that makes it good with food."
Dorothy J. Gaither and John Brecher - Smart Money - March, 2005
"Sprightly, crisp, silky, fresh gooseberries. A great value."
Eunice Fried - Travelclassics.com - February, 2005
"...clean and crisp, with grassy varietal character and tropical fruit, not unlike New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc."
Times & Transcript (BC) - September, 2004
Very good value from several cooler climate sites. Combines substantial weight and warmth with zest. Complex aromas of peach, pineapple and lemon grass, with anise and peppery notes on the finish."
* * * 1/2
David Lawrason - Toronto Life - September, 2004
"Lovely, subtle herbaceousness combined with a fresh, lip-smacking, spicy snap; clean, citrus finish. Ginger shrimp with pasta." Fully mature, serve now. Excellent by-the-glass choice.
Santé - July, 2004
"...shows pleasantly smoky lime and grass flavours without the stridency of some New Zealand Sauvignons. The lack of concentrated intensity and the presence of light-bodied citrus qualities combine to make a fine picnic wine."
John Rempel - Winnipeg Free Press - June, 2004
"I really like this lean, just-ripe grapefruit and grass-flavored gem. Perfect varietal character, minerally and lithe, with lime, grapefruit and grass flavors turning to red grapefruit and passion fruit on the finish." * * *
Tim Teichgraeber - Star Tribune - April, 2004
"One sniff reveals solid grapefruit and other textbook aromas. Then a sip delivers pink grapefruit and a consistent, acid-propped attack. Some tangerine appears on the finish before it slips away quietly." 86 "Best Buy"
Wine Enthusiast - March, 2004
"Light and refreshing, with lemon and grass flavors, a bright, crisp finish. Drink now." 85
Wine Spectator - January, 2004
". . . Look for a bright citrus-scented nose with hints of gooseberry and pineapple. I love its fresh clean, pour-me-another-glass, aftertaste." 15 points/20
Anthony Gismondi - Vancouver Sun - January, 2004
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2002
"...exemplary specimen of Sauvignon Blanc. . . .This Chilean offers fine citrus with overtones of apricot and pineapple, and I must say that were I planning a barbecued fish supper, this is the wine I would buy. It has the structure to cut through the oiliness of mackerel or salmon along with the textured class to soothe the palate when the weather is torrid."
Malcolm Gluck - The Guardian (UK) - June, 2004
"...has finesse not often seen at this price."
Michael Apstein - Boston Globe - June, 2003
"Spicy, green grape skin scents fill this bright Sauvignon, a firm white that will solidly stand with most any fish or fowl. " 86
WINE & SPIRITS - February, 2003
"Concha y Toro whites and reds from Chile are continual sources of pleasure and value. This immensely pleasing Sauvignon Blanc reminds me of fresh figs right off the tree. It goes astonishingly well with fresh fruit and nuts. Take care not overchill it. "
F. Paul Pacult - SKY – DELTA AIRLINES MAGAZINE - February, 2003
"Fruity aromas yielded to a medium-bodied wine that tasted of honeyed fruit with a hint of citrus, especially on the end."
Frank Sutherland - THE DETROIT NEWS - January, 2003
"Very pale straw in color, this Chilean Sauvignon Blanc has a huge, forward, herbaceous nose complemented by gooseberry notes. Dry, medium bodied, and well structured with good acidity, it's crisp and clean on the palate. Delivering plenty of tart citrus along with some subtle peach flavors, this white has good length and finishes nicely with nuances of tart peach. An excellent value."
TableWine.com - September, 2002
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2001
"Clean, fresh nose. It bursts with taste and leaves an endless, juicy finish. Quite summery and refreshing."
Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher - Smart Money - September, 2003
"Fruit for this crisp wine, with notes of lime and gooseberries, are sourced from the Maule, Casablanca and Maipo Valleys. It's elegant and round with balanced, crisp acidity."
The Edmonton Journal - June, 2002
"...was the star of a recent tasting in Vancouver. Fresh, dry and clean, it mixes melon and grapefruit flavours in perfect balance... Lovely fruit, weight and balance."
Anthony Gismondi - May, 2002
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2000
"Scents of roasted almonds give this a soft, sweet introduction, then the crisp, green grape flavors leave the mouth with a fresh feel."
Wine & Spirits - February, 2002
"Medium yellow-gold hue. Herbaceous and tart melon aromas follow through on a medium-bodied palate with a rounded mouthfeel and a smooth finish."
Tastings.com - January, 2002
"Has a bouquet of light oak, floral, lemon-lime, and grapefruit. The palate has sweet fruit: mostly lemon-lime and grapefruit over oak before a broad, persistent finish with just a bit of astringency."
Harold J. Baer - Colorado Wine News - December, 2001
"...big, bold Sauvignon offers bright lime and peach blossom scents." Exceptional Value
Wine & Spirits - Annual Buying Guide - December, 2001
"I enjoyed this wine with its pleasant floral/apple/melon aromas and fresh, dry grapefruit flavours. Intense citrus fruit; great value." 15.5/20
Anthony Gismondi - Vancouver Sun - November, 2001
"This classy Sauvignon Blanc offers exceptional value in a dry white wine... It's a fresh, clean, lively wine with smoky, herbal flavors and hints of pears, sweet pea and white pepper. Its spiciness makes it an excellent match for grilled seafood."
Michael Dresser - Baltimore Sun - September, 2001
"...has lively melon and citrus flavors and a pleasantly crisp finish."
Robert Neralich - Arkansas Democrat Gazette - August, 2001
"Expect a fresh, crisp, green-apple fruit nose and flavour, with just a wisp of melon. This one is fun to drink and a real bargain."
Anthony Gismondi - Vancouver Sun - August, 2001
"Fresh and acidic structure with lots of varietal character."
Tom Marquardt & Patrick Darr - Capital - August, 2001
"Pale gold in color, this is an aggressive Sauvignon Blanc. It has a rich herbaceous nose, with gooseberry and tropical fruit notes. Light to medium bodied, it's crisp and citrusy on the palate, with tangy citrus flavors that linger on the tongue. Packed with plenty of acidity, it has a good mouthfeel and a nice tangy, grapefruit citrus finish." Wine of the Week
TableWine.com - August, 2001
"This is no sappy aperitif white, but a racey, limey, peach-blossom-scented Sauvignon for seafood and entrée salads." 89 - Best Chilean Sauvignon of the Year
Wine & Spirits - June, 2001
"...medium-bodied, light complexity, dry, balanced acidity... fresh, juicy, pretty, tangy, vibrant." ***
WineToday.com - March, 2001
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 1999
"Brilliant yellow-straw hue. Fresh lanolin and citrus aromas have a Semillon-like accent. A lean entry leads to an angular, medium-bodied palate with ripe, citrusy flavors. Clean, zesty finish. Well balanced." 88
Beverage Testing Institute - March, 2002
"Straw in color, this Chilean Sauvignon Blanc has a beautiful, bright lemon-citrus nose, with underpinnings of cream, grass, and vanilla. On the palate, it's big and forward. Dry, and well structured with good acidity, this wine is packed with flavors of lemon zest and butterscotch, followed by spice, that linger on the tongue. It also has a great mouth feel and a fine finish with spice notes ...an extraordinary value..." Wine of the Week
TableWine.com - February, 2001
"...a crisp, dry varietal that plays down the extremes of Sauvignon Blanc and serves up nice pear, melon, citrus and herb flavours."
Dan Kislenko - Hamilton Spectator (Ontario) - October, 2000
"...loaded with full-bodied flavor that lingers..."
Renie & Sterling Steves - Star-Telegram.com - October, 2000
"Fresh and tangy, with apple, citrus and lychee and a crisp, clean finish."
Laurie Daniel On Wine - July, 2000
"a lovely wine in a lean, penetrating European style. It has an aroma of pineapple and herb with a fresh touch of melon. Very good."
Richard Nalley - Arizona Republic - May, 2000
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 1998
"Subtle, ripe aromas of lemon cream, pear, minerals and spun sugar. Juicy, ripe and fresh, with varietally correct flavors of melon and ripe citrus fruits." 85
International Wine Cellar - March, 2000
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc Vintage Not Specified
Good Sauvignon Blanc is coming from all over the world these days… but it's hard to beat the value of Chile's crisp, lovely Sauvignon Blanc. In fact, when we were asked this month to provide the wine for a parents' event at our girls' high school, we brought a case of Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc… The parents loved it... pairs well with grilled or fried seafood, pork chops, peel-and-eat shrimp and spicy dishes in general.
Dorothy J. Gaiter & John Brecher - The Wall Street Journal - May, 2007
"A lovely middle-of-the-road style, with grapefruit, citrus and gooseberry jam fruit with a touch of honey-mustard in the finish, and crisp but compliant acidity."
Dan Kislenko - Record - February, 2006
"Peaches and hints of gooseberry on the bouquet of this fresh, citric wine. It's elegant and round. A good aperitif, or with oysters and fish."
Nick Lees - Edmonton Journal - January, 2006