VIÑA VIK | La Piu Belle | 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.
Today we are going to review an iconic wine hardly requires any introduction, as it is considered among the best wines of Chile, and even amongs the best wines in the world – La Piu Belle 2022 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 and a pure form of art.

La Piu Belle is a homage to art and nature – a french styled blend made of carmenère (81%), cabernet sauvignon (14%) and syrah (5%) 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 syrah adds tension and richness, 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 20 months in small French oak barriques (from which 19% ‘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 unique terroir is famous 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: very deep & opaque ruby color
clarity: hazy & elegant crimson shades

In the glass, the wine presents a very deep and opaque ruby color, with hazy yet elegant crimson shades at the rim of the glass, creating an alluring appearance.

intensity: pronounced & savory-elegant
fruit character: ripe

On the nose, the goddess of beauty reveals a pronounced and savory-elegant aromatic profile, supported by a vibrant ripe fruit character. It unfolds a multi-layered and complex bouquet that achieves a remarkable balance between the vibrant fruit notes and terroir-driven earthiness. The foreground unfurls with a generous medley of black fruits, including black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, dark plum, and aronia. These are beautifully complemented by an array of blue fruits such as blueberry, bilberry, blue plum, wild bitter cherry, and huckleberry. Delicate savory undertones of barnyard, old leather, musk, game, and brown olive intertwine gracefully with elegant touches of iron and iodine, all framed by subtle hints of violets and toasted oakwood. As the aroma evolves, the background unveils refined oaky tones of tobacco, toasted oakwood, cloves, and vanilla, harmoniously integrated with spicy undertones of peppercorn, nutmeg, anise, and a touch of red pepper. Profound earthy hints of pencil lead, granite, slate, and dust, with delicate nuances of loam and marl, are rounded out by an elegant touch of mediterranean herbs and juniper, culminating in a truly sophisticated and harmonious aromatic tapestry.

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

On the palate, La Piu Belle delivers a voluptuous and savory-delicate mouthfeel with a pleasantly-seedy texture and an elegant finale. It showcases a rich and vibrant fruity accent, unequivocally confirming its status as one of the finest Bordeaux-styled blends that mixes power with finesse. The mouthfeel feels dry, supported by a bright acidity that imparts remarkable freshness and vibrance. A well-integrated touch of alcoholic warmth adds to the wine’s generous body without overpowering its elegance, while the velvety and fine-grained tannins offer a silky yet firm grip, contributing to a profound sense of structure, elegance, and longevity. The wine’s ample texture is a testament to the intricate balance within all its elements, flowing gracefully and filling the mouth without overwhelming. All of this culminates in a lasting, crisp, and appealingly-seedy aftertaste that lingers beautifully, leaving an impression of balance and structure.

maturity: still developing | needs more time | enjoy today or age for another 5 to 7 years
verdict: excellent | a reference wine | a wine that can reach into the realm of perfection

All in all, this wine is the epitome of a modern-bred, Bordeaux-styled wine blend – rich, firm, and expressive, imbued with an underlying delicacy – a genuine tribute dedicated to Chile’s most prized terroir, brilliantly managing to deliver the vibrancy of fruit alongside the distinctive expression of the Millahue Valley. The wine’s vibrant aromatic profile is focused around grape expression and terroir, rather than mere richness or opulence. We consider this to be one of the best Bordeaux-styled wines we have ever tasted, showcasing a mesmerizing fruity-elegant character, supported by a savory-delicate and rustic appeal. While already ready for enjoyment, this wine is still developing and holds immense potential for further evolution. We strongly recommend cellaring it for at least 5 to 7 more years to allow its full depth to unfold and reach into the realms of perfection, just keep in mind that, it is always better to drink a wine a year too soon, than a day too late. La Piu Belle is a wine that is a true reflection of the place of its origin – the Millahue Valley, the place of gold.

For an exquisite culinary experience, consider pairing this wine with a beef fillet stuffed with goat cheese, accompanied by pumpkin and sage gnocchi. The richness of the beef and the creamy tang of the goat cheese will beautifully complement the wine’s velvety textures and its savory, earthy undertones, creating a congruent pairing that enhances both elements. The subtle sweetness and aromatic earthiness of the pumpkin and sage gnocchi will harmonize with the wine’s vibrant fruit profile and delicate spicy notes, elevating the entire gastronomic symphony to a truly memorable occasion. This pairing allows the wine’s sophisticated layered structure and refined elegance to truly shine without overwhelming its inherent rustic delicacy. Enjoy!
VIÑA VIK | La Piu Belle | 2022
variety: carmenère | cabernet sauvignon | syrah
country: Chile | Central Valley
region: Cachapoal Valley | Millahue
rating: 99.3

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 meticulous approach extended to the individual mapping of the best plots for planting, detailing rootstocks, specific grape varieties, and even clones for each section, leaving absolutely nothing to chance in their relentless pursuit of unparalleled quality. 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!