💎 Our Mission Continues 💎
We’re on a mission to find the best wines under $15. No snobbery. No jargon. Just great drops that feel way fancier than the price tag suggests.
This week’s pick is a devilishly decent Shiraz from Chile that caught our eye and gave us a good excuse to explore whether the world can come close to a good ol' Aussie Shiraz.
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A Little Devil in a Bottle 😈
🍷 Casillero del Diablo Shiraz (2022)
We’ve gone international this week, strictly in the name of research of course! In a deeply selfless move, we stepped away from the comfort of our homegrown Shiraz scene to see if anything from overseas can hold its own. Turns out, this cheeky Chilean red isn’t half bad.
Casillero del Diablo translates to “The Devil's Cellar,” and the name isn’t just for show. Over a hundred years ago, the original winemaker, Don Melchor, had a problem - his wine kept disappearing. So naturally, he told everyone the devil lived in his cellar. Classic deterrent. Word spread, fear set in, and like magic, the wines stopped vanishing. Nobody ever saw the devil, but the legend stuck - and now there’s a little devil on the bottle reminding you of it. Bit dramatic? Sure. Effective for suckers like us who love a story? Definitely.
We grabbed our bottle from Dan’s for $13 while it was on special - winning! Unfortunately, it’s crept back up to $15.99 since then, so if you want to follow our under-$15 rule, you might need to pounce when it’s back on sale. That said, it sits just outside the budget and won’t exactly bankrupt you. Consider it a “treat yourself” tax.
If you’re into Shiraz, this one’s good, but not great. Based on the noted taste profile we were expecting this to be super dry, but personally, we copped a subtle hint of sweetness in there too. The flavour’s bold enough to be interesting without being overwhelming. We comfortably got through the bottle without a single complaint.
Now let’s talk label. The bottle isn’t flashy, but there’s something about it that catches the eye. The matte black capsule is a nice touch, and the tiny black and gold demon seal gives it just enough personality. It manages to look a little bit premium without trying too hard - kind of like the guy at the pub who wears a nice shirt but still orders a schnitty.
This drop hails from Chile, specifically from the Casillero del Diablo label under Viña Concha y Toro - one of the most powerful wine names in Latin America, so seasoned sippers will probably already know it. For the rest of us casual drinkers, it’s a new trick from an old dog, and we’re not mad about it.
All up, this one’s a solid effort from our South American mates. It doesn’t quite dethrone our favourite Aussie Shiraz picks, but it’s definitely earned a spot in the wider Vine In The Rough circle of trust. Worth a look.
VITR Official Score: 7.5 / 10
👍 Reality vs Perception: Looks like a $20 bottle, drinks like a $25 bottle, priced like a $13 one (on the right day).
👩🎨 Label Aesthetics: Sleek, simple, with just enough devilish flair to make it interesting.
👴 Comparison to Nonno’s Home Brew: Nonno would call it “foreign,” then pour himself a glass.
🪩 Fit for an Engagement Party: Wouldn’t be out of place, but we'd probably go with this Aussie Shiraz instead at this price point.
🤑 Keep the Change: You’ll need to watch for the specials to stay under $15, but even at full price, it’s not a bad spend. Either way not much change from this drop.
Real Talk
📖 Fake It 'Til You Make It
Capsule: Nah, it’s not a vitamin. The capsule’s that foil bit around the top of the bottle. It keeps the cork from drying out, stops nasties getting in, and makes your $13 wine look a bit fancy.
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💡 Sip Tip
Think Before You Sip: Backyard barbie in the sun? Grab a crisp white. Cosy night with a stew? Go the big red. Not all wines are one-size-fits-all, pick your drop to match the vibe.
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🍿 Sip & Snack
Shiraz & Lamb Shanks: Nothing says “I’ve got my life together” like a slow-cooked lamb shank and a glass of Shiraz. The boldness cuts through the rich meat like a Triton ute through mud.
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Until Next Week, Cheers 🍷
Casillero del Diablo (2022): a little devilish and worth inviting to your own table to form an opinion for yourself.
Please forward this to a mate, especially the one who reckons Aussie reds are the only good reds.
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