Viu Manent VIU 1 Malbec 2011
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Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker
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Wine Enthusiast
Smoky, roasted aromas of blackberry, cassis and graphite introduce a thick, layered, meaty palate that's well balanced despite being overtly ripe and generous. Flavors of toasty, blackened spice, lush blackberry and cassis finish rich, smoky and warming. Drink this benchmark Chilean Malbec through 2020. Editors' Choice.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2011 Viu 1 is made from the oldest centenary grapes from the Cuartel 4 vineyard in Fundo San Carlo (fundo means estate) with clay and sand soils in the village of Cunaco, in the heart of Colchagua. It is a pure Malbec raised in mostly new French oak for around 16 months and bottled unfiltered. The fruit seems to have absorbed the oak well and is present in the form of faint smoke notes and some spices over the core of ripe fresh red and black fruit and hints of meat. It’s full-bodied and intense, with penetrating flavors, good acidity and freshness. This is a full-bodied powerful wine, which in this cold vintage shows plenty of spicy notes that should age with style. 12,687 bottles produced. Drink 2015-2022.
Other Vintages
2012-
Wine
Spectator -
James
Suckling
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
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.