Concha Y Toro Merlot Casillero del Diablo 2010

Early returns are that the 2002 vintage surpasses even the excellent 2001 vintage, with plenty of "plump-factor" going on. This one's bursting from the glass with nice, ripe red fruit. A classy wine that shows restaint where your wallet is concerned.

Here's another terrific value from the Casillero line. This meaty merlot fills the mouth with its black cherry and tea leaf scents over a soft and dense texture of tannins. The freshness of its fruit makes it approachable now with fettuccine Alfredo.

Nice and ripe, with raspberry and dark chocolate notes, and sweet spice and toast filling out the finish. Concha y Toro is really putting out a solid lineup these days. Drink now through 2003.

Very tasty, with ripe raspberry and blackberry fruit, cocoa powder, toast and a hint of herb. Nice briery edge to the finish. Drink now through 2004.

Has soft, medium-weight berry fruit with a bit of sweet smoke that lingers on the finish. Drink now.

Huge and colorful, and very youthful. For density and lushness on what can best be described as basic Merlot, you're not going to find it much better than this. It's all blackberry, chocolate and berries, but somehow they've squeezed some earth and spice in there as well.

Ambitious effort here, emitting lots of coffee and smoke aromas followed by a nice blast of raspberry sherbet character and a good, gutsy finish. A lot of wine for so few dollars Drink now.