a Birthday at Vik Chile

Spent a birthday at Viña Vik, including the winery tour (with barrel sample tastings) and full board. Dinner and lunch were paired with Vik wines, including some not commercially released.

We were given the Cienfuegos Suite, enjoying the company of the *other* painted bottles that did not become the 'La Piu Belle' bottle cover — that bottle was on display at the dining room.

• 2015 Viña Vik Milla Cala 91 Points

  Chile, Rapel Valley, Cachapoal Valley

  (11/3/2019)

  Served with the first course at dinner; wine well aerated.
  
  Surprisingly, there were no herbaceous aromas to the nose, but plenty of red and black fruits with wisps of nuts and coffee. In the mouth, it had a pleasant round feel, with a fresh fruity acidity and restrained tannins. Nice long finish. It seemed youthful and vigorous but not overpowering. Enjoyable now, but with seemingly good potential to go some distance.
  
  From notes of the following day:
  Blend was 68% CS, 15% Merlot, 9% Carmenere, 5% SY, 3% CF; brought up in french oak for 23 months.

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• 2012 Viña Vik Millahue 93 Points

  Chile, Rapel Valley, Cachapoal Valley

  (11/3/2019)

  Served with the main course; had been decanted for several hours.
  
  Like with the Milla Calla served before, it was difficult to get a good sense of the colour in the dim ambient lighting of the dining room, but it looked dark and deep tone. Bright red fruits aromas jump from the glass, followed by some mellow sweet spices, chocolate and distant hints of leather. In the mouth it is sensory pleasure… smooth, voluptuous, harmonious. It felt "old-world" but with a spark of youth. I suspect it's entering a very nice long drinking window.
  
  Notes gathered the next day:
  53% CS, 35% Carmenere, 6% CF, 4% Merlot, 2% SY
  brought up in oak barrels for 26 months

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• 2018 Viña Vik Sauvignon Blanc La Piu Belle 90 Points

  Chile, Casablanca Valley

  (11/4/2019)

  Served with the lunch appetiser.
  
  Clear medium pale yellow with fragrant nose of garden herbs and wet stones. Clean and refreshing in the mouth, with a citrusy acidity taming the hints of guava and cherimoya.
  
  We were told it was vinified locally with grapes sourced from the Casablanca valley, and therefore unlikely to see commercial release.

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• 2018 Viña Vik La Piu Belle Rosé 90 Points

  Chile, Rapel Valley, Cachapoal Valley

  (11/4/2019)

  Served with an appetiser and a main at lunch.
  
  Vivid salmon colour in the glass with visible viscosity. Strawberries, apricots and floral notes on the nose yield to crisp acidity and soft tannins in the mouth. Good body and texture lead to a citric and astringent finish. It should stand up to provençal fare on a warm summer day beautifully.
  
  We were told it was mostly CS with some CF (all local) pressed in whole cluster and vinified in stainless steel; commercial release is possible.

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• 2015 Viña Vik La Piu Belle 94 Points

  Chile, Rapel Valley, Cachapoal Valley

  (11/4/2019)

  Served with a main at lunch; previously decanted.
  
  Deep purplish ruby colour. The Carmenere becomes evident in the nose as blue- and blackberry notes waft from the glass with hints of lavender, graphite, savoury herbs, and plums. It continues in the mouth giving the wine a different energy than the Milla Calla or Vik… full-bodied and juicy feeling, with fairly polished tannins. Long finish that at once keeps you from, and urges you to take the next sip.
  
  Very drinkable in its youth. Curious how well and how long it can age.
  
  Blend is 53%CS, 33% Carmenere, 14% Syrah.

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…as this was a birthday stay, we were also served sparkling wine. We didn't inquire its identity, nor was it volunteered… but was enjoyed all the same!