Exploring the Dimensions of La Piu Belle by Viña Vik.
On the evening of recent day, an exclusive virtual tasting event showcased the exquisite wines of Viña Vik, one of Chile’s premier wineries. Viña Vik earned a perfect score of 100 points from a leading critic in 2021 and was named one of the top three wineries in the world in 2023.
Led by Chief Winemaker Cristian Vallejo, this session delved into the philosophy and meticulous craftsmanship that define Vik’s offerings. During the unique tasting of La Piu Belle, we gained insight into their blending artistry and winemaking philosophy. This article explores Vik’s ethos, the origins of La Piu Belle, and our impressions from this extraordinary tasting experience.
The Philosophy and Uniqueness of Vik
In 2004, Norwegian entrepreneurs Alexander and Carrie Vik set out with an ambitious goal: to develop world-class vineyards and create unique wines. After two years of research across Spain, Italy, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, they established Vik Winery in the prestigious Cachapoal Valley, located about 200 kilometers southwest of Santiago, Chile. The winery embodies the couple’s shared passions for art, hospitality, and, of course, wine. Cristian Vallejo still recalls the early days—when there were no vineyards, no winery, and no hotel—yet he recognized the extraordinary potential offered by the oceanic winds and the complex terroir with its varying altitudes and exposures. From the very beginning, Vik sought to produce wines of exceptional quality that could stand alongside the world’s greatest vintages.
Vik’s philosophy is grounded in the belief that wine is an expression of both nature and the winemaker’s artistry. Vallejo emphasizes the importance of understanding microclimates, vineyards, soil, and human influence, stating, “Science and knowledge are our foundation, and passion is our engine.” This philosophy is evident in their vineyard practices, which include high-density planting like Bordeaux (10,000 vines per hectare) to concentrate flavors and ensure quality, the use of 100% rootstock, and careful varietal selection—practices ideally suited to the terroir. Low yield of approximately 1.5kg of grapes per vine allows for the development of rich and complex flavors.
Moreover, Vik is committed to holistic practices, emphasizing natural, organic, sustainable, and circular farming that allow for low intervention in the winery. Notably, Vik employs extraordinary methods to purify and showcase their terroir: the winery prides itself on producing its own oak barrels and amphora vats, sourcing wood and clay locally, as well as using native yeasts from wild flowers in the vineyards for enhancing the wine’s authenticity. These practices are referred to as Barroir, Amphoir, and Fleuroir at Vik. Additionally, the winery uses grape pomace for compost, contributing to a circular winemaking process. Vallejo describes their holistic philosophy as “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” and these stories fascinatingly illustrate their unique approach.
The Story Behind La Piu Belle
The origins of La Piu Belle date back to 2011 when Vik aimed to create a signature wine that would embody their distinctive winemaking philosophy. Initially launched without a name, it took several years of experimentation and refinement before the finalized and labeled in 2015. The name, translating to “The Most Beautiful,” not only reflects the wine’s quality but also its artistic label designed by Chilean artist Gonzalo Cienfuegos.
La Piu Belle was crafted to showcase Vik’s unique terroir, focusing primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère. Vallejo explained that creating La Piu Belle involved a delicate balance of varietals, aging processes, and a steadfast commitment to authentically expressing the terroir.
Carménère is Chile’s signature grape variety, but producing high-quality grapes can be challenging, as they often turn out overly herbaceous or overripe. However, when planted in the right terroir with appropriate vineyard techniques, it reveals exquisite characteristics and aging potential. During our tasting, we witnessed the meticulous care and dedication in the vineyards that ensure the harvest of perfect grapes.
Unique Tasting of La Piu Belle
We sampled three wines from tasting tubes. La Piu Belle, a blend composed of 68% Carménère, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Cabernet Franc undergoes aging in 85% oak, including 40% new barrels, and 15% in amphoras. We had very unique experience to taste one of the blending components along with the finished La Piu Belle from three tubes.
Amphora – Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine aged in amphoras showcases purer fruit flavors with heightened intensity due to micro-oxygenation over eight to twelve months. The aroma is predominantly red, featuring notes of red berries, strawberries, red currants, and black pepper. It has a high, vibrant acidity and firm tannins, all beautifully integrated. The amphora contributes a purity, transparency, and a smooth texture yet salivating finish. As Vallejo pointed out, the wine from the amphora possesses a unique ‘tension.’
Fleuroir – Carménère
This Carménère is crafted using indigenous yeast through the Fleuroir method, which adds no aromas, colors, or flavors—only yeast. Wines made with Fleuroir are expressive, fruity, light, and approachable. This particular wine offers a layered aroma profile of both black and red fruits along with floral notes. It’s juicy, supple, and generous on the palate, presenting a ripe, rounded mouthfeel. Vallejo mentioned, “Fleuroir enhance depth and complexity of the wine”
La Piu Belle 2020
The final product is undeniably textured, with a lifted structure from the oak aging evident on the palate, complemented by the complexity of aromas derived from the spiciness of the oak. The main fruit characters include blackberry, blueberry, and dried plum, with hints of red currant and a range of spices, all without any green flavors from pyrazines. The ripe, polished tannins are well-integrated, balanced by intense fruit flavors and vibrant acidity. Overall, it is dynamic and elegant with a long aging potential.
We reward this wine with a 97-point DWA score.
Conclusion
The virtual tasting with Cristian Vallejo and the exploration of Vik’s philosophy, offered an enriching experience for us. Vik’s dedication to viticulture and winemaking excellence stands as a testament to their vision. With a commitment to quality that transcends traditional practices, Vik continues to carve out its place in the pantheon of the world’s great wineries. La Piu Belle also promises to be a delightful moment worth celebrating.
We would like to extend our thanks to Grandcruwijnen and Viña Vik, especially Cristian Vallejo for sharing these fascinating insights during the tasting session.
This article was written by our own Kazumi Uejo. Viña Vik’s wines are available in many international markets and well distributed. In the Netherlands, you can purchase them through Grandcruwijnen or directly from the estate. Special thanks to Grandcruwijnen for providing the wines we tasted. Picture credits: Viña Vik.
