Wine

James Suckling revealed great new scores for VIK wines

By: VIK Marketing

14 March , 2023

The JamesSuckling.com tasting team was hard at it in vineyards and winery tasting rooms around the world this past week, with Senior Editor Zekun Shuai on a field trip in South America to taste the new vintages of Chile and Argentina.

Zekun said Chile was back on the track of finesse and freshness with its “exciting” 2021 vintage, after a dry and hot 2020. “Freshness and silky, polished tannins are the keywords for this vintage,” he said. “The general impression now is that the reds can show more fruit, and the fine tannin quality is noticeable, even for simpler wines that don’t strive to deliver greater depth. We are also finding good juiciness and a delicate twist of austerity in many reds in this vintage.”

VIK presented its 2020 harvest, and although it was a rough year, we were up to the challenge of achieving the same scores as other premium wines presenting their 2021 harvest.

VIK 2020 - 97 Points

“This almost has a “minty” freshness from the oak with some pine cones, incense and dark spices to the cassis and sweet tobacco. Vibrant and juicy on the full-bodied palate with spiced berries, good tension and very structured, fine-grained tannins. The amount of juiciness here is quite rare for 2020. Very long and spicy finish. 76% cabernet sauvignon and 24% cabernet franc. 50% Barroir new oak (French barrel toasted with local oak trees from the property). Excellent effort from 2020. Needs some time to come around. Drink from 2025”.

La Piu Belle 2020 - 96 Points

“Ripe and plush to the nose with some opulent spicy fruit, blackberries, dark plums and a hint of chocolate. Full-bodied and rich on the palate with dense, nicely chewy tannins and a pretty long finish. Nice acidity freshens it up. A blend of carmenere, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. 23 months in barrels, of which 45% is new Barroir oak (French barrels toasted with local oak trees). Around 15% of the wine was aged in amphorae made with local clay for eight months. Drink from 2025”

Milla Cala 2020 - 93 Points

“A ripe but juicy red with plenty of blackcurrants, sweet berries, a hint of tobacco leaf and grilled herbs. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate with fine-grained tannins and a spicy, tight finish. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 23.5% carmenere, 8% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1.5% syrah. 20 months in used barrels, of which 60% follows a barroir concept where the oak was toasted with local oak trees. Better in a year or two”.

La Piu Belle Rosé 2022 - 91 Points

“A subtle and pretty serious rosé here with some nectarines, green plums, white cherries and stones. Bone-dry and textured with a bright streak of acidity that cuts through the medium-bodied palate. A fine, delicious austere edge, too. 8% carmenere, 6% cabernet franc, 4% syrah and the rest cabernet sauvignon. 11% of the wine went into first-used barrels toasted with local trees. Drink now”.