I have been very excited about this tasting for a few reasons. Firstly, despite being based in Germany, I was able to source some great bottles. Secondly, I have heard great things about Carménère blends but have never tried any, and Cabernet Franc is a favourite of mine, but I have never tried an Argentinian take on it.
Details and verdict in the comments. The full journey you can find here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/wine/comments/1faffpp/would_anyone_like_to_follow_my_wine_world_cup_reds/
by rob1001-
2 Comments
2017 La Piu Belle, Vina VIK Winery
Chile, Rapel Valley, Cachapoal Valley, Millahue
51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Carménère, 8% Cabernet Franc, 1% Shiraz
Alcohol: 14.3%
Ratings: Decanter: 96/100, Vivino: 4.5/5
Value: 90 EUR paid Mar24
2017 Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard, Puerto Ancona
Argentina, Mendoza, Uco Valley, Gualtallary
85% Cabernet Franc, 15% Malbec
Alcohol: 14%
Ratings: Parker: 98/100, Suckling: 97/100, Galloni: 97/100, Vivino: 4.6/5
Value: 79 EUR paid May24
About the vineyards:
Vina Vik – Ranked #4 on the “World’s best vineyards” awards in 2022. Mediterranean climate with maritime influence which moderates temperatures. Decomposed granitic soil with good drainage. 24 months in a mix of new and old French oak, including 15% locally grown oak from the property.
Gran Enemigo – Vineyard is at almost 1500m. High density planting (10,000 plants / hectare) on chalky, calcareous and rocky soils in Gualtallary. Unusually they ferment with 40% whole bunches with indigenous yeasts. 16 months in large French oak barrels. The wine was made in honour of the old Pomerol style, where Cabernet Franc was the main grape and blended with other Bordeaux varieties.
Tasting:
We started with the Vina Vik. Wow, what a nose, intense fruits. The palette was beautiful, very rounded, strong Cabernet Sauvignon tones coming through. What was missing for me were the tannins, which meant it lost a bit of complexity. But overall strong flavours of red fruit, cherry, almost fruit juice like and very easy drinking. Secondly the Cabernet Franc…also a beautiful nose, strong cherry aromas. The taste was initially less fruity but the power built over time and was combined with great complexity, well rounded tannins and almost a minty freshness. I think perhaps one of the best wines I have tried so far.
Verdict: Well for me it was clearly the second wine, the Argentinian Cabernet Franc. But for the first time I was in the minority, with 3/5 in the group favouring the Carmenere thanks to its easy drinking style and wonderful fruits. It wasn’t a difficult one to identify either, with the Cabernet Sauvignon in the Chilean making the blind tasting guess clear. What to do, what to do… in the end I decided I had to go with my own verdict and ignore the group, so New World Cabernet Franc goes through. The critics at least would seem to agree.
Two really lovely bottles and producers. I’d be with you in the verdict, though. I don’t have much negative to say about VIK, at all, but El Enemigo just owns my heart.
Thanks for sharing!