Charles Smith Velvet Devil Red Blend 375ML Can

Charles Smith "The Velvet Devil" Merlot-dominant Red Blend 375ML Can is a premium, highly acclaimed Pacific Northwest red wine packaged at approximately 13.5% ABV. Representing a serious, estate-driven entry into the canned wine space, this expression breaks the stigma of lower-tier canned variants, with its bottled counterpart consistently capturing strong 88 to 90-point ratings from James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast. True to its name, it offers an ultra-portable, unctuous, and dark-fruit-forward profile engineered for instant gratification.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13.5% | Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington, USA | Style: Plush, Smooth, and Medium-Bodied Red | Grapes: Merlot-dominant (typically blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec) | Size: 375ML Can (Equivalent to 2.5 standard glasses)

Production & Heritage

The creative genesis of The Velvet Devil was explicitly engineered by maverick winemaker Charles Smith as a direct rebellion against the anti-Merlot sentiments popularized by the 2004 cult film Sideways. Smith set out to prove that Washington State’s unique topography could produce an approachable, deeply satisfying Merlot with an attitude. The label has since evolved into a staple under the modern winemaking umbrella of House Wine and Constellation Brands.

The fruit is sourced from sustainable vineyards across the sweeping, sun-drenched Columbia Valley AVA. The blend composition relies heavily on roughly 89% Merlot to construct a soft, velvety core, structured with small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon for spine and Malbec for a round plum finish. Following whole-berry fermentation utilizing native airborne yeasts to maximize natural fruit fidelity, the wine is matured for nearly 10 months inside a curated selection of French oak barrels before a portion of the batch is meticulously lined and sealed into stable, grab-and-go aluminum cans.

Tasting Notes

• Aroma: Sultry, rich, and highly expressive. The nose opens with an immediate wave of dark black cherries and ripe red plums, beautifully accompanied by complex secondary undertones of cedar shavings, sweet tobacco leaves, and a hint of toasty oak wood.

• Taste: Full-bodied, satiny, and exceptionally plush on the entry. The palate is treated to a luxurious layer of dark berry compote, cassis, and liquid dark chocolate. Over the mid-palate, it develops a highly polished core, revealing subtle hints of baking spices, espresso powder, and a soft, smoky mineral thread.

• Finish: Medium-to-long, elegant, and velvety. Supported by beautifully integrated, powdery tannins and a soft line of balanced acidity, the dark fruit and cocoa characteristics withdraw smoothly, leaving a clean, dry signature of vanilla bean and toasted wood.

How to Drink Velvet Devil

Serving this canned red slightly chilled or at a cool room temperature between 55°F and 60°F (12°C to 15°C) is highly recommended. Giving it a gentle 10-minute rest inside a cooler or refrigerator before cracking the tab tightens the structure and accentuates the bright, dark cherry and raspberry top notes. While pouring the liquid into a wide-bowled glass will allow the tobacco and cedar aromatics to expand more traditionally, the internal lining of the can ensures zero metallic interference, making it completely acceptable to sip directly from the can during casual outdoor recreation.

Best For

• Active outdoor social settings, beach outings, pool-side hosting, golf bag stowage, and camping trips where glass bottles are strictly prohibited

• Serving a high-caliber, oak-matured red wine in a low-commitment, half-bottle portion size without opening a full 750ml bottle

• Introducing traditional Cabernet or Pinot Noir drinkers to the smooth, rich terroir of Washington State Merlot

• Pairing effortlessly across casual weeknight dinners, tailgate menus, and outdoor barbecues

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does The Velvet Devil taste like? It features a plush, fruit-forward profile that leads with upfront flavors of black cherry, plum, and cassis, develops a velvety middle marked by dark chocolate, cedar, and tobacco, and concludes with a smooth, toasty oak finish.

• How does this compare to lower-tier canned red blends? Cheap, mass-market canned red blends are frequently formulated with low-altitude bulk table grapes, often manipulated with artificial colorings, heavy residual sugars, and liquid oak extracts to hide a thin body. The Velvet Devil is an authentic, 100% Washington State AVA product that undergoes whole-berry native fermentation and real French oak cellaring, delivering genuine structure, dry tannins, and varietal integrity.

• Is this wine sweet or dry? This is a completely dry red wine. While the intense Washington sunshine yields a highly ripe, fruit-forward nose that mimics sweet components, the natural grape sugars are fully fermented out, leaving a clean, savory, and balanced finish entirely free of syrupy stickiness.

• Does the aluminum can affect the taste of the wine? No. Modern aluminum wine cans are manufactured with a specialized, BPA-free internal protective coating that completely isolates the liquid from the raw metal. The wine retains its exact structural chemistry, fruit aromatics, and shelf-life stability as if it were drawn directly from a standard glass bottle.

• What foods pair well with The Velvet Devil Can? This wine is practically engineered for casual grilling comfort foods. It pairs magnificently next to flame-charred burgers, steak fajitas, smoked brisket sandwiches, or wood-fired pepperoni pizza. On a grazing board, it acts as an exceptional companion to roasted mushrooms, sharp white cheddar, or dark chocolate brownies.

Why Velvet Devil 375ML Can?

The primary technical advantage of The Velvet Devil Can lies in its authentic varietal purity, whole-berry fermentation, and 10 months of French oak cellaring, providing a structural harmony and complex texturing that bulk-processed value cans simply cannot duplicate. It stands out in the alternative-packaging segment, celebrated for delivering a genuine taste of old-school Columbia Valley viticulture in an ultra-convenient package. Offering an unbeatable combination of immense dark fruit fidelity, portability, and outstanding price-to-quality value, it represents an essential addition for any modern wine enthusiast on the move.

Specifications

• Varietal/Type: Red Blend (Merlot-dominant)

• Product of: United States (Washington / Columbia Valley)

• Size: 375ML Can

• ABV: ~13.5% Vintage dependent

• Brand: Charles Smith Wines (House Wine / Constellation Brands)