Diablo Deep Carmenere is a new wine from Chile’s Rapel Valley and as a big fan of Carmenere, I was tempted enough to give it a try, especially since their Diablo Black Cabernet Sauvignon is among my picks. However, I’ve always found Diablo Red too sweet, so I approached this one with a sense of intrigue.
At 13.5% ABV, this 2023 vintage pours a deep purplish-red. On the nose, there’s a hint of familiarity with Diablo Black, with a leather-like aroma that perhaps suggests a shared winemaking technique. However, this is quickly overtaken by a strong caramel scent, which is quite dominant. The taste follows suit, with a pronounced caramel flavour that immediately brings to mind the nostalgic taste of Caramac, for those who remember it. Unfortunately, the signature smokiness of Carmenere, which I usually enjoy, is overshadowed by the caramel sweetness, leaving it somewhat lost.
While this wine didn’t quite hit the mark for me, particularly due to its sweetness, I can see it appealing greatly to those who prefer that kind of profile. I picked it up from Tesco, where it usually retails at £10, but I managed to get it for £7.50 during a 25% off promotion.
