2018 Vina de VIK

So aromatic with flowers such as lavender and rosemary with fresh thyme and sage, as well as redcurrants and other red berries. Medium-bodied with tight texture and density and a fresh and long finish. A blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon and 25% cabernet franc. Drink or hold. (02/2023)

Based on 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc that spent 26 months in French oak, the 2018 Vik reveals a dense purple hue to go with attractive aromatics of darker cassis, sappy green herbs, smoked tobacco, and cedar, with plenty of spicy background oak. Medium to full-bodied and nicely concentrated, with firm tannins on the palate, it's ripe yet certainly brings a solid green, herbal edge. It's going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and, I suspect, evolve nicely over the following decade. (10/2023)

A late-release red that has some mature edges of fig and marinated olive, but still plenty of freshness as well, with floral tinges to the rich, lusciously textured blackberry and plum core that gathers momentum on the finish around a thread of fresh mineral acidity. Ends with a wealth of spiced chocolaty notes. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. - Aaron Romano (12/2023)

Produced with a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc from 11-year-old vines, the 2018 Vik fermented after a cold soak, went through malolactic in barrel and matured for 25 months in French oak barrels, 55% of them new. It has 14.5% alcohol, a little less ripe than the 2019 I tasted next to it, but kept 3.73 grams of unfermented sugar. The year was cooler, similar to 2021, and the wine is very balsamic and herbal, with notes reminiscent of camphor. It's aromatic and showy, with bright aromas and flavors, a characteristic I often see in the wines from Cachapoal. It has a medium to full-bodied palate with abundant, slightly dusty tannins. 24,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2020. - Luis Gutierrez (04/2023)