VIÑA VIK | La Piu Belle | 2020
carmenère | cabernet sauvignon | cabernet franc

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Alexander Vik had a dream: to create the best wine in the World. To turn vision into reality, the research team took more than 4000 soil samples and investigated all the elements of terroir – they performed soil analyses, hydric flows, thermal amplitude, geographic orientation and the region’s unusual wind conditions. The vineyard’s location was selected only after two years of exhaustive scientific research, after they identified the ideal terroir from which to grow the finest grapes – the Millahue Valley of Chile. The next step was the mapping of the best plots for planting – first, for each plot the research team mapped the rootstocks, then the grape varieties, then the clones of each variety, after all, if you dream to make the best wine in the world, you can not leave anything to chance.
Today we are going to review a true legend, a wine that is considered among the best ever made in Chile – La Piu Belle 2020 by Viña Vik. La Piu Belle is the goddess of nature, love, fertility, beauty and art. She is the personification of the incredible terroir of the Millahue Valley (which translates as ‘the place of gold‘). La Piu Belle embodies the sun that dries the mist at dawn, the cool breeze of the Pacific Ocean and the chilly air of the Andean Mountains – she is the wealth of the soils and the beauty of the valleys – she is a goddess of VIK. She is intensely emotional and very beautiful, in fact, she is the most beautiful – La Piu Belle – a timeless reflection of the beauty of nature.

La Piu Belle is a homage to art and nature – a french style blend made of carmenère (68%), cabernet sauvignon (23%) and cabernet franc (9%) grape varieties, sourced from the estate’s best vineyards planted on deep and porous decomposed granitic soils in the Millahue Valley, a sub-region of the Cachapoal Valley. This wine reflects the true nature of an elegant and dynamic carmenère, showcasing the finesse it achieves in the unique terroir of Millahue. The cabernet sauvignon brings a firm structure to the mouthfeel, while the cabernet franc adds tension and minerality, lending those refined graphite notes that Chile is so much famous for. In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, the wine has been aged for 24 months in small French oak barriques (from which 15% ‘Barroir‘ toasted oak barrels from the same property), with additional bottle ageing time before it was deemed ready for the market release.

The Cachapoal Valley is located in central Chile, between the Andes Mountains and the Coastal Range, and it boasts a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters, thus providing ideal conditions for viticulture. The valley’s soils are primarily alluvial in origin, well-drained, and are enriched by deposits from the Cachapoal River and its tributaries. This terroir is especially known for its premium red wines, with cabernet sauvignon thriving in the foothills of the Andes, while and carmenère flourishing in the coastal valleys.The Millahue Valley has an even more unique microclimate, as it stands between the mountains and the dessert. It is characterized by a warm, Mediterranean-like climate and deep, porous granitic soils, which enhances root depth and promotes complex flavors while also maintaining the much needed moisture. This unique micro-terroir is crucial for the grapes’ development, providing excellent drainage and fostering the development of complex flavor profiles. This creates almost ideal conditions for the late-ripening grape varieties, such as carmenère and cabernet sauvignon, allowing them to develop rich, concentrated flavors and maintaining freshness due to the moderating coastal  influence.

color: deep & opaque ruby color
clarity: hazy & noble crimson shades at the rim

In the glass, the wine presents a deep and opaque ruby color with hazy, noble crimson shades at the rim – a majestic visual testament to its depth and maturity.

intensity: pronounced & dusty-expressive
fruit character: ripe

On the nose, this wine reveals a pronounced and dusty-expressive aromatic profile, with ripe black fruit notes including dark cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant, supported by nuanced earthy nuances of pencil lead, dust and granite. An intricate interplay of spice such as anise and nutmeg, are complemented by oak-derived notes like tobacco and toasted oakwood, which round out the aromatic profile, enhanced by subtle hints of violets and whispers of new leather.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: fine
finish: long | aftertaste: velvety-seedy

On the palate, the wine reveals a tapestry of richness, marked by bright acidity and velvety tannins. The wine’s ample texture showcases the intricate balance within all its elements – dry, with well integrated alcoholic warmth and a pleasantly-seedy aftertaste. This wine combines the power and finesse of a Bordeaux blend with that distinctive backdrop of Chilean terroir.

maturity: developing | drink now or age for at least 3 or 4 more years
verdict: iconic | epic wine | a wine that defines excellence with unparalleled complexity

With a perfect score of 100 points, La Piu Belle 2020 is an outstanding wine – complex, elegant and harmonious. It is still developing, ready for enjoyment but we would recommend further ageing of at least 3 to 4 years in order to let it reach its full maturity. This wine strikes the perfect balance between power and elegance – complex, velvety, voluptuous, intense and elegant – a wine that is a true reflection of the place of its origin – the Millahue Valley, the place of gold.

For an exquisite wine tasting experience, consider pairing this wine with a beef fillet stuffed with goat cheese, alongside pumpkin and sage gnocchi. The dish’s richness would complement the wine’s velvety textures and those appealing earthy notes, thus creating a gastronomic symphony that enhances both, the dish and the wine. Enjoy!
VIÑA VIK | La Piu Belle | 2020
variety: carmenère | cabernet sauvignon | cabernet franc
country: Chile | Central Valley
region: Cachapoal Valley | Millahue
rating: 100

In pursuit of perfection, the team behind Viña Vik conducted extensive research, analyzing over 4,000 soil samples to find the optimal terroir for their vineyards. This dedication to detail is reflected in every bottle of their wines, as they seek to express the true essence of the Millahue Valley’s terroir with every new wine.

© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation. Cheers!