VIK : La Piu Belle 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of La Piu Belle 2022 by VIK

Tasting notes

Appearance
This Chilean red wine displays a particularly dark hue, verging on black at its core. In its youth, this deeply concentrated colour reveals subtle bluish and purple highlights.

Nose
Remarkably rich, the bouquet unfolds in layers. It first reveals intense aromas of fully ripe black fruits such as blueberry, blackcurrant and wild blackberry. These are then interwoven with floral notes of dried rose and patchouli, enhanced by touches of graphite, liquorice, sweet spices and sandalwood.

Palate
The attack is generous and the texture silky. The palate is carried by vibrant acidity and fine, tightly-knit tannins that bring a lovely energy to the whole. The fruity, spicy and woody flavours stretch out at length towards a persistent finish, marked by a refreshing minty touch.

Food and wine pairings

This great wine pairs wonderfully with grilled or roasted red meats, such as wagyu beef or lamb in a Provence herb crust. It also brilliantly accompanies slow-cooked dishes in sauce, as well as aged hard cheeses. Thanks to its vegan certification, it will equally elevate refined plant-based cuisine, such as a wild mushroom risotto.

Serving and cellaring

To fully appreciate this vintage, it is recommended to decant it about an hour before serving and to enjoy it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Endowed with great potential, it can be kept in the cellar and will continue to improve until around the mid-2030s.

The purity and complexity of a great wine from the Cachapoal Valley

The estate

The story of the VIK project began in 2004 under the impetus of its current owners, Alexander and Carrie Vik, who acquired the land in 2006. Located in Chile, in the Central Valley area, this estate of around 4,300 hectares stands out for its holistic vision blending art, avant-garde architecture and respect for the environment. Led operationally by CEO Gastón Williams, the property runs on 100% renewable energy. With its ultra-modern winery and vast native forest, VIK has now established itself as a leading benchmark for sustainable South American viticulture.

The vineyard

Set in the heart of the Cachapoal Valley, in the Millahue sector, the vineyard enjoys a Mediterranean climate tempered by the influences of the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountain range. The vines, kept to low yields, thrive on a mosaic of microclimates and soils composed of decomposed granites, clays and sands. This Chilean estate practises sustainable agriculture, encouraging biodiversity and limiting inputs.

The vintage

The year 2022 was characterised by a particularly cool spring and summer cycle, one of the coldest observed over the past two decades. This atypical weather favoured a very slow ripening of the berries, allowing an exceptional phenolic concentration to be reached while preserving great natural freshness.

Winemaking and aging

The harvest is carried out at night to preserve the integrity and freshness of the grapes. After a cold pre-fermentation maceration, fermentation is initiated with indigenous yeasts drawn from the flowers of the estate. The wine, unfiltered and free of animal-derived additives, then benefits from 26 months of aging in "Barroir" barrels, casks crafted and toasted on site from native oaks that have fallen naturally on the property.

Grape varieties

79% Cabernet Franc
21% Cabernet Sauvignon