VIK
VALLE DE CACHAPOAL, CHILE 2021
WHY BUY:
VIK's 2021 Bordeaux blend nabbed a perfect 100 points from James Suckling AND clocked in at #6 on his Top 100 Wines of 2024 — and let me tell you, folks, it’s no hype: this is a big, hedonistic masterpiece from the vineyard voted #2 on the planet last year by World’s Best Vineyards, a wine of sheer, unadulterated pleasure. Given that only 4,800 cases exist, it’s no wonder so many collectors are in avid pursuit. And, as a delightful bonus, we’re also bringing you their Series A Cabernet 2022, which seems too polished and structured to be only $25 — and which just shows how this estate's innovative techniques (from handmade amphorae to barrels crafted from 300-year-old estate oaks) are able to create magic at every level.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
James Suckling's 100-point review of the Valle de Cachapoal is a portrait of a critic who is barely able to contain his glee: "Hints of decadence ... superb intensity and silky tannins that grow on the palate, showing great length that goes on for minutes. Truly great depth ... Best ever."
OUR TASTING NOTES:
The Valle de Cachapoal 2021 — a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère — pours an almost inky garnet, with gorgeous violet reflections that hint at the intensity to come. The nose is layered and expressive: graphite mixes and mingles with fresh lavender and blackcurrant, while subtle undertones of iodine and crushed mussel shell establish an unmistakable sense of place. On the palate, it's full-bodied and concentrated, but also beautifully refined, showcasing notes of cassis and dark chocolate with, just behind them, hints of cacao and crushed stone. Those silken tannins that Suckling singled out? They're powerful yet precise, with a mineral backbone that adds elegance and lift. The finish is long and every bit as silken. The Series A Cabernet 2022, meanwhile, exceeds all expectations at $25: concentrated dark fruit, well-integrated oak, and a level of sophistication that would be impressive at twice the price. What more could you ask of an entry-level bottle?
THE STORY:
The story begins in 2004 when Alex and Carrie Vik founded their winery in Chile's Millahue Valley, whose name translates to "The Place of Gold." They weren't content with simply making good wine; they wanted to revolutionize how wine could express its origins. Spanning 11,000 acres of diverse microclimates and soils, the estate has become something of a laboratory for experimentation into new methods. Under winemaker Cristián Vallejo's guidance, VIK has developed several groundbreaking techniques to three-dimensionalize, if you will, terroir in the winemaking process. "Barroir" uses custom barrels crafted from 300-year-old oaks growing on the property itself. "Fleuroir" harnesses native yeasts inspired by the valley's unique flora. And perhaps most intriguing of all: "amphoir" employs clay amphorae handmade from estate soils. "Our clay is unique so the pores are unique," Vallejo explains. "It's about making the terroir a part of the whole process.” This deeply holistic approach is so heartening for so many of us to hear, at a time of rapidly increasing homogeneity and industrialization in the world.
THE METHOD:
VIK's winemaking philosophy, in a nutshell: minimal intervention and maximal expression. Night-harvesting preserves freshness, while triple sorting ensures only the finest grapes make it to fermentation. The Valle de Cachapoal spends 26 months aging, with 10% in those innovative estate-made amphorae that contribute what Vallejo describes as "vibrancy" and "juicy tension with beautiful, graphite acidity."
WHAT TO PAIR IT WITH:
The Valle de Cachapoal demands equally serious company: a grilled ribeye with rosemary jus, a rack of lamb with black olive tapenade, or a short rib tagliatelle with thyme. The Series A Cabernet is an everyday wine, and will make fine matches with everything from steaks and chops to smashburgers and tacos.
FUN FACT:
The amphorae aging technique traces back to 6000 B.C. in the Republic of Georgia, where clay jars called kvevri were used for fermentation and storage.
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we only source directly from the estate, ensuring pristine provenance. Secure your cases and bottles today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in IN, KS, MA, MI, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, June 8th, 2025.