Wine Review: Iron Maiden Darkest Red from Laithwaites

I’ll admit it! I ordered Iron Maiden Darkest Red 2021 after an ad campaign caught my attention, and then a host of negative reviews caught my interest.

On Laithwaites, people complained that the wine bottle was only decorated with a paper coat, and they wanted a collectable bottle. In the moaners’ defence, Laithwaites does say the bottle will appeal to collectors.

However, as an Iron Maiden fan, I wanted a good bottle of plonk and perhaps a conversation starter with guests I’d share it with. As it happened, I got a good bottle of plonk, but I drank it on my own.

Contrary to those early wine moaners, after the ad campaign and Laithwaites found other people like me, the star rating for the wine shot up. At the time of writing, Iron Maiden Darkest Red 2021 has 3.5/5 stars after 21 reviews.

The wine

This rich, fruity red wine, crafted by the esteemed Van Zeller family, originates from the high-altitude vineyards of the Douro Valley. Its maturation in old Port barrels lends it a delightful balance of juicy berry flavours and warm spice. While I’m no wine connoisseur, I’m familiar with spirits aged in Port barrels, and this wine did evoke some of those familiar notes intertwined with the berry flavours.

Both Laitwaites and the bottle indicated an ABV of 13.5%. Despite the tannins in red wine, I felt surprisingly well the next morning, even after enjoying the rest of the bottle the following day.

This full-bodied red wine would be a fantastic choice for any Halloween gathering or horror movie night you’re planning. Its robust character makes it best enjoyed with food.

Overall

While marketed as a collector’s item, the Iron Maiden Darkest Red from Laithwaites is more about offering delicious and affordable red wine in an eye-catching package. I highly recommend trying it soon, especially if you’re preparing for Halloween.