VIK - 2016

In 2004, Norwegian entrepreneurs Alexander and Carrie Vik decided that they wanted to make a worldclass wine and began searching for the ideal terroir. After two years consulting with winemakers, climatologists, geologists and agronomists around the South America, they purchased a 4,450 hectare estate in Cachapoal.

In 2006, in the Millahue Valley (which means Place of Gold in the native Mapuche language) they started identifying the top plots and planting their vineyard. The following year, the Viks held a competition for Chilean architects to compete to become the designer of the winery and Smijilian Radic was selected and designed the winery in collaboration with Alexander and Carrie Vik.

VIK’s vineyards are planted across 12 small valleys, totalling 327 hectares under vine. More than 6,000 soil pits and analyses were conducted to match the clonal selection of rootstock and varieties to the specific plots. Varieties planted include Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah, and soil types include colluvial, alluvial, sand, clay, and gravel stone.

VIK is the flagship wine and the icon of the winery, a rich red blend that can cellar well for over a decade.

2016 vintage is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc.

Winemaker Notes: "After a 24-month barrel aging, the wine was bottled.This vintage departs from its predecessors by blending Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc exclusively.The maturity of the Cabernet Franc vines, apparent in the fruit’s new-found authority, delightful minerality and acidity, allowed for more prominence in the blend accounting for almost a quarter of the assemblage. Cabernet Sauvignon, at 76% of the blend, provides the wine’s long and dynamic structure and the nearly infinite finish.This vintage is precise, subtle, and elegant, delivering a story, whose chapters are visible in pours and pages turned in each sip.The story shares passionately the virtues of this terroir, the characteristics of the vintage as well as the entire team’s endeavors for quality and respect for nature."

"This is a superb red with blackberry, asphalt and fresh herbs, like thyme and bay leaf. The palate is so refined and polished with linear and fine tannins that run the length of the wine. The finish goes on for a very, very long time. 76% cabernet sauvignon and 24% cabernet franc. Great wine. Beautiful now but will go on for decades." - 96 points, James Suckling

"Light notes of almond and prune blend with hints of chocolate on the nose of this Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. It's a well-balanced red that has a silky texture supporting dried fruit, chocolate and espresso flavors with hints of peppercorn. Firm, supple tannins and vibrant acidity support the palate leading to a long finish." - 94 points, Wine Enthusiast 

Producer: VIK 

Country: Chile

Region: Millahue Valley

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere 

Appellation:  Colchagua Valley

Vintage: 2016

Size: 750ml