Viña VIK proudly announces the global release of VIK 2022, its icon wine, an exceptional vintage that has been awarded 99 points by JamesSuckling.com, alongside 100 points by Gilbert & Gaillard and 97 points by Colin Hay. This recognition cements its position among the most prominent wines in Latin America and the world. This extraordinary harvest will be introduced to the international market in September 2025 through La Place de Bordeaux, marking a key milestone for the winery.
A Cold Year, a Bold Wine
The 2022 harvest was marked by one of the coldest spring-summer cycles of the past two decades, allowing for a slow ripening process, exceptionally fine tannins, exceptional phenolic concentration, and a fascinating minerality that defines the unique character of the wine. The result is a piece of tense elegance, refined power, tension, purity, and freshness.
The Art of Terroir
This blend is born from two iconic and selected vineyard blocks on the property in the Millahue Valley, Cachapoal Valley:
- Las Casas: Cultivated in lacustre soils with a clay-loam texture, which provide structure, depth, and an intense aromatic palate.
- Los Lazos: Developed on sandy colluvial soils with excellent natural drainage, delivering finesse, elegance, and polished tannins.
The blend consists of 79% Cabernet Franc and 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, faithfully revealing the diversity of soils and microclimates of Millahue.
Aging and Innovation: The Barroir Method
VIK 2022 was aged for 26 months in "Barroir" barrels, crafted from Chilean native oak over 100 years old, sourced from fallen trees on the property and toasted with native wood. This exclusive internal cooperage method enhances the expression of the terroir, natural texture, and aromatic identity of the wine.
Expert Review
According to Zekun Shuai, Senior Editor at JamesSuckling.com:
"What a perfume: deep, rich and complex. Chiseled minerals into opulent, minty blackberries, black licorice and tamarind, with a balsamic touch. Balanced oak, integrated sandalwood and dark chocolate. Full-bodied with refined, fine-grained tannins. A persistent finish that goes on and on."
Tasting Profile & Technical Data
- Aromas / Nose: Wild blackberries, ripe red fruits, cassis, fine licorice, graphite, balsamic notes, and soft spices.
- Palate: Elegant and opulent entry, silky yet structured, with delicate fine-grained tannins and a high, precise acidity that brings tension, freshness, and a long, memorable finish.
- Varieties: 79% Cabernet Franc, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Alcohol: 14.6%
- pH: 3.6
- Total Acidity: 5.3 g/L
- Residual Sugar: 2.9 g/L
- Aging: 26 months in Barroir barrels
- Serving Temperature: 16–18 °C
"VIK 2022 is the purest expression of our philosophy: precision, elegance, and the energy of nature captured in a bottle," commented Cristián Vallejo, Chief Winemaker at Viña VIK.
This near-perfect score not only positions VIK 2022 as one of the great wines of the year, but also reinforces the leading role of Chile's ultra-premium wines on the global stage.
About JamesSuckling.com: James Suckling is one of the world's most influential wine critics, with over four decades of experience. A former senior editor at Wine Spectator, he founded JamesSuckling.com in 2010, where his team publishes over 25,000 tasting notes a year, cementing its impact on the global high-end wine market.