Chilean Wines
VIK Presentation and Tasting Last Week at Vinum55 in Scottsdale – The Ultimate Chilean Wines!
During the year I only once or twice experience a wine/winery that is truly exceptional. VIK was one of those last week! Daley Brennan, Director of U.S. Sales, conducted the session which held everyone in awe while tasting these scrumptious wines.
The Winery
© The WineStatistics
The winery is in Millahue in the Cachapoal Valley in Chile. Founded in 2006 by Alexander Vik and his wife Carrie Vik, the owner’s goal was to produce the best Bordeaux style wine in the world having spent copious amounts of time in France. The winery is 11,000 acres with 900 acres under vines. The terrain is located between 300 to 3,100 feet elevation. While only planting their vines in 2006-2007, they were the first Chilean vineyard named the Best in the World in 2025. Their tag line is “Science and knowledge are our foundation, passion is our engine and wine is our expression of art“.
Photo from VIK Winery
Christián Vallejo, the winemaker has developed some unique methods to make his wines ultra-biodynamic. They include having their own cooperage on property importing stays from France and then toasting the barrels with local oak wood. Another idea he has implemented was to build amphoras using the local clay found in the vineyards. These are just two of many innovative methods implemented on the property.
Another intriguing point brought up during the presentation is when harvest comes around, they do not pick a row, the selectively pick grapes that meet the winemaker’s criteria for ripeness. This results in the same rows being picked many times over. While that seems easy to understand, it is extremely labor intensive. VIK employs 400 people to manage the vineyards and harvest, simply a number that is staggering!
Daley presented a lot of information on the winery, overnight accommodations, and restaurant on the property that can be reviewed on their website.
The Wines
Photo ©Michael Kelly
As we entered and were seated, each attendee was poured a 2025 La Piu Belle Rosé. It was clear and crisp using Sauvignon grapes and aged two months in barrel.
From this point onward the next five wines and tasting experience hit new heights in my ratings of each of them. All these wines will make my annual Best Wines Tasted in 2026, which only 2% of the two thousand wines tasted hold this distinction. I don’t believe in a single tasting that five wines tasted have ever made this level of excellence.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The second wine was a 2023 Omega Cabernet Sauvignon with 87% being Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, 10% Carménère and 3% Syrah. The wine was aged 18 months in neutral barrels. The barrels were reused and shaved as part of their biodynamic purposed use.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Next up was the 2022 Milla Cala Red Blend that received ratings of 97 and 96 points. A bit darker than the previous wine, with delightful rose boutique wafting from the glass. The wine was layered and provided endless layers of enjoyment. The tannins were a bit pronounced but did not take anything away from the experience. 50% was aged in neutral barrels and 50% in new French oak. A remarkable wine hitting all positive ratings on the eyes, nose, taste and finish.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The 2022 La Piu Belle Red Blend. It was 81% Carménère with the balance being 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Syrah with all wines coming from their estate. This was a wine which Chile is known for being their premier wine, Carménère. Being a Carménère wine collector for years, this was the pinnacle of Carménère wines ever tasted. Tight tannins and velvety on each delightful sip. Ratings for this wine were 96 and 97 points from critics.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Now the crème de la crème of the evening. Just when wine after wine exceeded all expectations, this 2021 VIK Red Blend blew even the previous wines away. This consisted of 77% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged in 90% barrique barrels and 10% in clay amphoras from the estate. James Suckling rated it an astonishing 100% with its smoothness and silky tannins. While on my rating, besides getting all the positives scores, it received “double pluses” on the taste and finish. Can’t recall a wine receiving those marks in the last ten years! I noted that this Cabernet Franc did not have a typical pyrazine (bell pepper) note. Daley mentioned that this was due to canopy management. While not inexpensive, surprisingly an excellent value at $168/bottle. This was my favorite wine of the evening.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The last of the most impressive five red wines this evening was the 2024 Stone VIK. This is their flagship wine comprising of 74% Cabernet Franc, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Syrah. Christián used his complete arsenal in making this wine employing holistic, organic and biodynamic tools at his disposal. Berry aroma was heavenly and dark cherry was dominant on the palate with tannins being so subdued it was like liquid satin on the finish. The wine was aged eight months outdoors with the amphoras partially submerged in the soil. The wine was rated 98 points and could just as easily been rated 100 points also. The list price for this wine was $225/bottle.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We concluded the evening with a Champagne from a vineyard purchased by the owners in France. The wine was a 2009 La Piu Belle Champagne. It was comprised of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir grapes. On the nose very strong aromas were present. While a solid champagne, my personal preference is one with Pinot Meunier also in the mix. Still a good and enjoyable Champagne.
Should the opportunity to taste, buy or visit VIK wines arise this is one that should be sought out! Thank you Vinum55 and Daley Brennan for the session.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com