VIÑA VIK | Omega | Carménère | 2022
carmenère | cabernet sauvignon | syrah

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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.

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 Carménère 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: carmenère (87%), cabernet sauvignon (8%) and syrah (5%), where carmenère lends that unique spicy character and some softness to the mouthfeel, cabernet sauvignon provides structure and dark fruit notes, while syrah enhances the wine’s color depth and adds that savory, peppery nuance to the wine’s flavour profile.

This wine was conceived as a new-age carmenère, with finesse rather than power, which has that vibrant, juicy fruit profile and smooth mouthfeel, in order to enable the wine 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 18 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 garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades at the rim

In the glass, the wine presents a deep and opaque garnet color, transitioning to noble garnet shades at the rim. This intense, concentrated appearance is a clear indicator of its richness and youthful vitality.

intensity: pronounced & earthy
fruit character: ripe

On the first nose, this wine unveils a pronounced earthy profile, marked by a distinctive dusty finnese. The initial impression is deeply earthy and mineral – a direct reflection of its granitic origins, with notes of black soil, pencil lead, and wet granite. This terroir-driven foreground quickly makes way for a core of ripe black fruits, including dark cherry, aronia berry, blackberry, and luscious black plum. As the wine breathes, complex background layers emerge, revealing a tapestry of warm spices like peppercorn, cloves, and nutmeg, interwoven with subtle oak influences of tobacco and toasted wood.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: fine
finish: long | aftertaste: crisp & seedy

On the palate, this wine is a masterclass in balance, feeling at once rustic and delicate, lean and ample. This is a textbook expression of a modern carménère-based blend, with a nuanced savory-earthy accent. The wine feels decidedly dry, enlivened by exuberant acidity that brings remarkable vibrancy and freshness to the mouthfeel. A well-integrated alcoholic warmth provides body and power without any sense of heat. The tannins are high but fine-grained and ripe, lending structure and complexity. All of that culminates in a long, crisp and seedy aftertaste that is both refreshing and complex, leaving a lasting impression of dark fruit and dusty minerality.

maturity: developing | drink now or within the next 3 to 4 years
verdict: great | a benchmark wine | a wine that has all the traits to become legendary

Overall, this is a blueprint, terroir-driven chilean carménère blend, that masterfully combines the vibrancy of fruit with that delicate, dusty terroir. It has a pronounced earthy-savory profile and a nuanced rustic accent that makes the wine feel round, voluptuous, and extremely appealing. This wine stands as the epitome of a modern carménère that beautifully reflects the unique footprint of the Millahue Valley terroir, showcasing a beautiful sense of elegance, finesse, and a harmonious balance between power and nuance. The wine is still developing and, while it can certainly be enjoyed today for its youthful charm, it possesses the structure to age gracefully for another 3 to 4 years, where it will undoubtedly gain further complexity.

The wine’s fine-grained tannins, vibrant acidity, and complex savory notes make it an ideal partner for rich and flavorful dishes. Consider pairing it alongside slow-braised beef short ribs seasoned with a smoked paprika and coffee rub. The wine’s acidity will cut through the richness of the meat, while its earthy and savory characteristics will complement beautifully the smoky flavors of the dish. This congruent pairing will create a harmonious fusion between the food and wine, elevating the entire tasting experience. Cheers!
VIÑA VIK | Omega | Carménère | 2022
variety: carmenère | cabernet sauvignon | syrah
country: Chile | Central Valley
region: Cachapoal Valley | Millahue
rating: 94.8

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!