Where did Cabernet Sauvignon Come From?
It Looks Like Carmenere Grape.

That's right. Carmenere wine is rumored to be the great wine of the Romans and the grandfather to Cabernet Sauvignon. I adore this grape and recommend that anyone who loves Cabernet give this wine a try.

It has many typical Cab characteristics such as tasting of bell pepper, blackberry, black currant, and sometimes black pepper. It is a buttery type of wine and something to enjoy now or with a little bit of time.

This is one of the original six grapes of Bordeaux along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. However, the vines were destroyed by the phylloxera plague near the end of the 1800's. It has found a new home in Chile where it is commonly grown and exported.

I like the Casillero Del Diablo for this wine. It is reasonably priced as a red wine for beginners. I normally find it for less than $10 and it is readily available.

The story behind the wines is pretty good too. "In the 19th century, the founder of Concha y Toro, Don Melchor, discovered that his vineyard workers were sampling his greatest wines. To discourage this action, Don Melchor spread the rumor that his deepest, darkest cellar was the Casillero del Diablo (Cellar of the Devil), so that no one would dare go in there. It worked, and a legend was born. Today, this mysterious and legendary cellar continues to hold the finest, estate grown wines of Casillero del Diablo."

-Concha Y Toro USA Website

The Carmenere grape creates a wine that is good with hearty meals. Think steak, lamb, duck and even venison. It definitely will stand up to strong or gamey flavors.

So, enjoy this devilish little wine and be sure to let your friends in on the secret.

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