VIÑA VIK | Omega | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022
cabernet sauvignon | carmenère | syrah

© We will be evaluating wines in no particular order on no particular schedule. Just stay tuned and you will never miss our reviews. If the wine is tasted more than once, the rating table will be updated so as to reflect all the new impressions and observations. We hope you will enjoy it!

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.
The wine that we are going to review today hardly requires any introduction, as this is one of the most recognizable wine labels from Chile – Omega Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 by Viña Vik. The ‘Omega’ range is conceived as an intermediary step between the introductory “A” range, and the more complex Milla Cala wine – all of them are modern, Bordeaux-styled wine blends, made from the best grapes sourced from the VIK‘s unique terroir in Millahue Valley (which translates as ‘the place of gold‘) – a sub-region of the Cachapoal Valley. Technically this wine is a blend of three grape varieties: cabernet sauvignon (88%), carmenère (10%) and syrah (2%), where cabernet sauvignon provides structure and dark fruit notes, carmenère lends that unique spicy character and some softness to the mouthfeel, while a small touch of syrah enhances the wine’s color depth and adds a savory, peppery nuance to the wine’s flavour profile.

This wine was conceived as a new-age cabernet sauvignon wine, with power and structure, which has that vibrant, juicy fruit profile and smooth mouthfeel, to enable it to be enjoyed while young. In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, the wine has been aged for 12 months in a combination of new and used French oak barriques, with additional bottle ageing 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 garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades at the rim

In the glass, the wine displays a deep and opaque garnet color, hinting at its concentration and youth. Noble garnet shades shimmer at the rim, suggesting a wine of high quality and structural integrity.

intensity: pronounced & dusty
fruit character: ripe

On the nose, the wine showcases a pronounced dusty accent that is characteristic of many Chilean wines. The foreground is dominated by a core of ripe black fruits (dark cherry, black plum, blackcurrant, and aronia berry), which is beautifully interwoven with distinct earthy and mineral notes (pencil lead, granite, and crushed gravel). In the background, a complex tapestry of aromas emerges, with spicy hints of peppercorn, cloves, and nutmeg, alongside oak-derived nuances of sweet tobacco and liquorice. A subtle and delicate savory touch of iron and old leather complements the wine’s sophisticated aromatic profile.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: long | aftertaste: seedy-crisp

The palate is rich, vibrant, and well structured, feeling both crisp and seedy in texture. It is a dry wine, driven by an exuberant acidity that brings fantastic energy and freshness, perfectly balancing the well-integrated warmth from the alcohol. The tannins are grippy but fine-grained and ripe in texture, providing a firm grip on the mouthfeel without any extra harshness. This is a complex and nicely layered wine that delivers that textbook Chilean dustiness, leading to a long and persistent finish and a seedy-crisp aftertaste.

maturity: developing | needs a bit more time | drink in the next 2-3 years
verdict: great | a benchmark wine | a wine that has all the traits to become legendary

All in all, this is a modern Bordeaux-styled wine blend that masterfully combines the vibrant expressivity of dark fruit with the delicate, dusty character of the unique Chilean terroir. It tastes firm and grippy, with a savory and rustic backbone. It stands as an epitome of a modern Cabernet-based blend that remains true to its origins, reflecting the unique footprint of the Millahue Valley with restraint and elegance. At this stage, the wine is still developing and while approachable now, it would be best to cellar it for another 2 to 3 years to allow its components to integrate further and reveal even greater complexity. But don’t overdo it, as it is always better to drink a wine a year too soon than a day too late.

The wine’s robust structure, crisp acidity, and savory undertones make it a perfect partner for richly-flavored meat dishes. We would suggest to pair it with a char-grilled ribeye steak served with chimichurri sauce. The wine’s tannins and acidity will cut through the richness of the steak, while its dark fruit and spicy notes will harmonize beautifully with the garlicky kick of the chimichurri, creating a complementary and truly memorable dining experience. Cheers!
VIÑA VIK | Omega | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022
variety: cabernet sauvignon | carmenère | syrah
country: Chile | Central Valley
region: Cachapoal Valley | Millahue
rating: 94.6

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!