VIK O Leão 2018 Red Blend 1.5L Magnum – Cachapoal Valley, Chile
VIK O Leão 2018 Red Blend 1.5L Magnum is a distinctive Chilean red created by acclaimed Viña VIK in the Cachapoal Valley and made in tribute to Larry Johnson, the adventurous and influential leader who helped guide Fogo de Chão's growth and bring its celebration of Brazilian food, wine and culture to a wider international audience.
The back label tells the story beautifully: Johnson taught himself Portuguese out of his love for Brazil and pursued an ambition to share that culture with the world. O Leão—Portuguese for “The Lion”—was created as a fitting tribute to that strength, courage and adventurous spirit.
Fogo de Chão continues to identify O Leão as one of its Founders Trilogy wines, alongside Eulila and Jorjão, with O Leão specifically honoring Larry Johnson and his role in Fogo's global growth.
Presented here in the impressive and increasingly difficult-to-find 1.5-liter magnum format, the 2018 O Leão offers both a compelling story and a serious expression of Chilean red wine.
A Chilean Blend Led by Carménère
The 2018 magnum is composed of:
51% Carménère
24% Syrah
15% Cabernet Sauvignon
10% Cabernet Franc
The prominence of Carménère gives the wine its distinctly Chilean identity, while Syrah contributes dark fruit, spice and richness. Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure and depth, and Cabernet Franc adds aromatic complexity and freshness.
The wine was matured for approximately 15 months in barrel, allowing the varieties to integrate while developing additional complexity.
Tasting Notes
Deep ruby to garnet in color, the 2018 VIK O Leão opens with generous aromas of blackberry, ripe plum, black cherry and raspberry, joined by layers of dark spice, dried herbs, earth and subtle oak.
The palate is full and concentrated yet balanced, with ripe dark fruit at its core. Carménère contributes plushness and savory herbal character, while Syrah adds spice and richness. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc provide structure, freshness and firm but polished tannins.
Hints of black pepper, tobacco, vanilla, earth and dark chocolate emerge as the wine opens, leading to a persistent, savory finish.
This is a wine built for the table—rich enough for grilled meats, yet balanced enough to remain lively throughout a meal.
A Wine Created for Fogo de Chão
O Leão occupies an unusual place in the VIK portfolio because its identity is tied directly to the history of Fogo de Chão.
It forms part of the restaurant group's Founders Trilogy Collection, three wines honoring important figures in the Fogo story. O Leão honors Larry Johnson, while Eulila honors Selma “Eulila” Oliveira and Jorjão honors Jorge Ongaratto.
That connection makes O Leão particularly appropriate alongside churrasco and grilled meats—the cuisine it was created to accompany.
The VIK Story
Viña VIK has become one of the most ambitious names in modern Chilean wine. Its vineyards are located in Chile's Cachapoal Valley, where the combination of Andean influence, warm days and cooler nights creates conditions particularly suited to Bordeaux varieties, Carménère and Syrah.
O Leão takes that winemaking pedigree in a different direction: a generous, approachable and food-driven blend designed around the character of Carménère and the traditions of the South American table.
Food Pairing
The 2018 O Leão is an ideal partner for Brazilian churrasco, grilled ribeye, picanha, beef short ribs, rack of lamb, roasted pork, smoked meats and hearty pasta with ragù.
For the full experience, serve it alongside grilled beef seasoned simply with coarse salt and let the wine's fruit, spice and acidity do the rest.
Why the Magnum Matters
The 1.5L magnum makes this bottling especially appealing for entertaining, celebrations and collectors of unusual large-format wines.
A magnum contains the equivalent of two standard 750ml bottles, making it ideal for a dinner table or gathering. Large-format bottles can also offer favorable conditions for slower wine evolution because of the lower ratio of oxygen to wine inside the bottle.
Given the story behind O Leão, the magnum format feels particularly appropriate: this is a wine meant to be opened around a table and shared.
Wine Details
Producer: Viña VIK
Wine: O Leão
Vintage: 2018
Country: Chile
Region: Cachapoal Valley
Type: Red Blend
Bottle Size: 1.5L Magnum
Blend: 51% Carménère, 24% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Aging: Approximately 15 months in barrel
Serving Temperature: Approximately 60–64°F (16–18°C)
