The Essentials:

Variety:                      100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage:                     2018

Origin:                        Maule Valley, Chile

ABV:                          13.5%

Pairing:                      Red meats, spicy food

Purchase from:          Asda,

I’ve been spoilt by my wine choices these past few months. As lockdown has progressed, I’ve found myself embracing independent merchants who, I feel, have needed my business more than the larger supermarkets. The problem with this is that my wallet is running on empty and I’ve got some amazing bottles on my wine rack that I just can’t bring myself to open!

As the lockdown has begun to ease across the UK, I decided to pop in to my local Asda for a few bits and pieces. At least, that’s what I told my missus. I was really going in there to pick up a bottle of wine and it didn’t take me long…

Diablo Black is the second addition in the Diablo series and has been introduced following the success of the Diablo Dark Red blend back in 2018. From producers Concha y Toro of Casillero del Diablo fame, Diablo Black is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, being produced in the Maule Valley in Chile. It is quickly becoming a “statement brand” with Emma Ashton, Head of Marketing at Concha y Toro stating: “We are committed to driving value in the wine category…and Diablo satisfies shoppers who are looking for something a little more unique and interesting to spend their money on”.

There is a lot to commend the Diablo Black, even before opening the bottle. The label is distinct, and stands out from the vast array of mundanity that otherwise sweeps across a supermarket wine isle. The gold outline of the devil’s face is alluring, and it looks superb against a black background. I’ve enjoyed the Diablo brand before, with the Dark Red featuring in Ned Halley’s The Best Wines in the Supermarkets 2019. It even garnered favourable reviews from me after trying it later that year. Add to this the fact that Chilean winemakers don’t understand the concept of bad wine and that It was on offer for £8 and there was only ever going to be one winner when making my choice.

First impressions were good with the wine being a deep ruby colour in the glass. The nose was predominantly black fruits, with aromas of black cherry and smoke permeating from the glass.

Black fruits also dominated the palate early on with the slightest hint of peppery spice, vanilla and chocolate as it went down. The finish was long, the wine full bodied and the tannins were soft and plentiful. I enjoyed the first two glasses the most though I tired of the red cherry bomb it became after a while. For this reason, I’d recommend not decanting it unless that’s the tasting profile that you’re after.

Overall, a very good introduction to the quality of supermarket wines and another strong showing from Concha Y Toro though I confess I prefer the Dark Red. I’ll likely need a couple of more bottle of this to let it grow on me too. I am going to make a bold prediction however; I think this wine will feature in Ned Halley’s 2021 book because the quality is there and at this price point you really can’t go wrong. It’s not a stunner, it’s not a barn burner, but it is a solid wine at a great price.