Winemaker Notes
Very bright and deep ruby red. Red fruits (strawberry, raspberry) in perfect harmony with secondary aromas from the barrel. The wood perfectly respects the evolution of the aromas of the wine. A balanced wine that is very subtle with a great aromatic freshness. A fresh attack, silky, very thin, with elegant and round tannins with long persistence. A very elegant well-balanced wine.
Blend: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Carmenere, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 2% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
VIK is a boutique family operation in the Cachapoal Valley that produces seriously well made and enjoyable wines. This Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere blend - with a dash of Merlot and Syrah - is a prime example. Remarkably, this was also their first vintage. Having been aged in French barriques for 24 months, this is full, ripe and rich without being overwrought. The interplay of dark plum and blueberry fruits with notes of camphor and fennel seed is both seductive and compelling. Drinking Window 2019 - 2027
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James Suckling
This is a big and rich wine with lots of cherry, dark chocolate, cappuccino, and walnut aromas and flavors. Full and flavorful with lots of juicy fruit and a rather extravagant aftertaste. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc, 2% syrah, 35% carmenere, and 4% merlot.
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Wine Enthusiast
Earthy foresty aromas of cool damp earth and olive are as prominent as this blend's berry scents. A ripe smooth saturated palate reflects a warm vintage, while this deals herbal notes of tea and pepper along with berry and plum fruit. Mint and spice flavors play leading roles on a savory well-oaked finish. Drink through 2021.
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Wine Spectator
A ripe and fleshy red, with flavors of dark currant, dried berry and roasted plum that are framed by Asian spice notes. Baker's chocolate details show on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. Drink now through 2022. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
Well-regarded for intense and exceptionally high quality red wines, the Colchagua Valley is situated in the southern part of Chile’s Rapel Valley, with many of the best vineyards lying in the foothills of the Coastal Range.
Heavy French investment and cutting-edge technology in both the vineyard and the winery has been a boon to the local viticultural industry, which already laid claim to ancient vines and a textbook Mediterranean climate.
The warm, dry growing season in the Colchagua Valley favors robust reds made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec and Syrah—in fact, some of Chile’s very best are made here. A small amount of good white wine is produced from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.