VIK Millahue 2020

VIK 2020 Millahue Valley, Cachapoal, Chile | 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc One of Chile's most ambitious and distinctive luxury wines, VIK 2020 is the flagship expression of Viña VIK, created from the extraordinary terroir of the Millahue Valley. The estate was selected after an extensive search for the ideal combination of soil, climate and elevation, and the winery takes a holistic approach to viticulture and winemaking that seeks to express the landscape in every bottle. The 2020 vintage is powerful yet remarkably refined, with an aromatic profile of cassis, dark berries, sweet tobacco, pine, incense and dark spices, followed by a full-bodied palate driven by vibrant fruit, mineral freshness and beautifully polished tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon provides the wine's firm, elegant structure and red-fruit core, while Cabernet Franc contributes minerality, acidity and an extra layer of tension and length. The wine spent 20 months in French oak barrels, followed by another 6 months in VIK's distinctive Barroir barrels—French oak barrels toasted using wood from the estate. This innovative technique is intended to connect the wine's oak aging more directly to its place of origin. Critic Scores 97 Points — James Suckling The 2020 Vintage 2020 was a challenging, relatively dry vintage in Chile, but VIK's Millahue vineyards benefited from the estate's distinctive microclimate and careful vineyard management. The winery describes the resulting wine as expressive, pure, dynamic, tense and vibrant, with ripe fruit and finely grained tannins rather than excessive weight. The VIK "Barroir" Concept One of the most interesting aspects of VIK is its approach to oak. The winery developed Barroir, a play on "barrel" and "terroir," using local wood from the estate to toast French oak barrels. The idea is to extend the concept of terroir beyond the vineyard and into the maturation process. For a premium Chilean Cabernet blend, it's a fascinating detail and one worth highlighting to customers. Wine Details Producer: Viña VIK Wine: VIK Vintage: 2020 Region: Millahue Valley, Cachapoal Valley, Chile Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc Alcohol: 14.8% Soil: Deep, porous, decomposed granite with excellent drainage Climate: Temperate Mediterranean with marine influence Oak: 20 months French oak + 6 months Barroir barrels Residual Sugar: 3.95 g/L Total Acidity: 5.32 g/L Serving Temperature: 60–64°F (16–18°C) Perfect With: Prime ribeye, filet mignon, grilled or roasted lamb, braised short ribs, beef tenderloin, venison, duck with a fruit reduction, truffle dishes, roasted mushrooms and aged cheeses. Style: Full-Bodied • Powerful • Elegant • Structured • Mineral • Dark Fruit • Silky Tannins • Long Finish