Viu Manent Viu 1
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Viu 1 is the result of men’s work and nature’s wisdom which, wilfully, blesses some of its cycles with exceptional conditions.
- This unique wine is produced from Centennial Malbec vines. A worthy tribute to the memory of who conceived it, Don Miguel Viu Manent.
- Viu 1 is made from the best Malbec grapes from Cuartel Nº4 of the San Carlos vineyard, located near Cunaco, Colchagua Valley.
Varietal Composition: Malbec 83%, Cabernet Sauvignon 17%
Elaboration: Once the wine has been brought to the winery, a second selection of grapes is made. Select for maceration preferably in cold (at 10ºC) for 6 days. Fermentation alcohol produced by selected yeasts, in small stainless steel tanks, in temperatures between 24º and 25ºC. During the alcoholic fermentation it takes place 4 times of corta durability to achieve a very smooth extraction. The total maceration lasts for 21 days, until every time. The wine was sent in French wines without toast (55%) and French robust barrels (45%), for 15 months, left to be filled without filtering for preserve all of its concentration and character.
Tasting Notes: Deep cherry red color. On the nose, Viu1 stands out for its elegance, character and clarity, with aromas of red and blue fruits, fresh plum, violets and mineral notes. In the mouth it is a wine of great balance, with fine tannins, fresh, juicy, deep, defined, with a lot of energy and persistence.
PRESS
2011 – 92 Wine Advocate | 93 Wine Enthusiast
2012 – 92 James Suckling | 92 Wine Spectator
2013 – 93 James Suckling
2014 – 91 James Suckling | 93+ Wine Advocate
2017 – 93 James Suckling | 93 Wine Advocate
2019 – 93 James Suckling | 94 Vinous | 94+ Wine Advocate
2020 – 94 Wine Advocate
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
After working as a wine merchant alongside his father and brother since the 1930’s, Miguel Viu Manent made the decision to branch out on his own in 1965, purchasing a historic vineyard and winery in Chile’s Colchagua Valley. The estate was and still is one of the most well-exposed sites in the region, and it included 150 hectares of pre-phylloxera massal selections from France.
This company provides us with wines we consider the best value wines in the country (see “Reserva line), forward/experimental options (see “Secreto” line), some of the most solid “under $20” varietal wines you’ll find anywhere in the world (see “Gran Reserva” line), site specific/terroir driven releases (see “Single Vineyard” wines), and most famously the iconic “Viu 1.” Malbec is clearly the house specialty here – Viu Manent was the first Chilean winery to bottle, label, and market Malbec, and they’ve for years been Chile’s Malbec leaders both in terms of accolades and quantity produced.
After nearly 100 years this firm is still family owned and operated (a rarity in Chile, especially for a winery of this size), all farming is certified sustainable, and two of Chile’s top names consult with the winery on a permanent basis – Roberto Pizarro (vineyard management) and Paul Hobbs (winemaking).