The 2018 is deep red in colour, with violet tones. On the nose, it displays fruity aromas of plum and cherry combined with spicy notes of tobacco and cinnamon. An elegant and complex wine, with soft tannins and a long lingering finish. Kaikenes are wild geese, native to Patagonia, that fly across the Andes between Chile and Argentina. In the same way, legendary Chilean winemaker Aurelio Montes crossed the Andes to make wines in Mendoza. Aurelio saw the enormous potential of the region for premium viticulture and, after several exploratory trips, founded the Kaiken winery in 2002. His aim was simple: to make great wines in Mendoza and, in doing so, to show the best of both sides of the Andes. The Kaikén wines are faithful expressions of the Mendoza terroir and for wines of this quality offer tremendous value for money.

Per the tasting notes I received with this wine, fruit was sourced from the Uco Valley. Three different vineyards were selected as sources due to their individual characteristics and superior terroirs.

Food recommendation for the Kaiken Malbec from Kaiken

Amarone Wine | Barbera Wine | Blauburgunder Wine | Cabernet Sauvignon Wine | Cabernet Franc Wine | Granache Wine | Lagrein Wine | Malbec Wine | Merlot Wine | Mourvedre Wine | Negramaro Wine | Petit Verdot Wine | Pinotage Wine | Pinot Noir Wine | Primitivo Wine | Shiraz Wine | Tempranillo Wine | Zinfandel Wine The Kaiken Malbec: Of a deep violet color, warm in the nose, with notes of ripe fruit and traces of tobacco and butterscotch. In the mouth it displays intensity, with strong, fleshy tannins; while at the same time juicy and enveloping; with a long, persistent finish.

After fermenting for one month, the wine was then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. Finally, it was lightly filtered prior to bottling. Grapes for Kaiken’s traditional method sparkling wine are sourced from the renowned sub-region of Gualtallary in the Uco Valley. Here limestone-rich soils and altitudes of around 1,400 metres above sea level provide optimal conditions for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Kaiken Malbec Ultra – Tasting and Review

string(307) "In its native Bordeaux, Malbec is little more than a blending component. In Argentina, Australia and increasingly, South Africa, it offers bold, expressive, richly-flavoured reds that simply cry out for a juicy steak! Notes of cured meat, cocoa, scorched earth and cherry liqueur-like flavours lead the way." The Gualtallary Vineyard is planted on poor calcareous soils with Malbec, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at 4,265 metres. This is one of the highest areas in Mendoza, where the ultra-cool climate makes intense, extremely elegant wines.

Agrelo is at an altitude of 950m and has alluvial soil thanks to the erosion of the Andes, producing ripe, good bodied reds. The estate vineyards are situated in the heart of Mendoza and further south in the Uco Valley, where many premium producers are now sourcing their fruit. The focus is primarily on Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, a variety that was almost forgotten in the region as Malbec’s popularity continued to soar over the past decade. As a result of Kaiken’s protection, there are now several old vine Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in Mendoza that produce excellent wines, including Kaiken’s vineyard in the Vistalba district of Luján de Cuyo, first planted in 1910.The highest peaks of the Andes are found in Mendoza: with 22.832 ft, Aconcagua is the highest peak in America. The presence of the Andes, which act as a barrier to the humid winds of the Pacific, added to the distance to the Atlantic Ocean, shape the climate generating ideal conditions for the cultivation of vines. The altitude, continental climate, heterogeneity of soils and the snowmelt are key factors for the production of excellent wines, which add to a significant winemaking tradition. I’ve also reviewed Kaiken Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon. That wine is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Malbec. Los Chacayes Vineyard in the Tunuyán region of the Uco Valley, has 150 hectares planted with Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, and bush vine Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc on sandy and skeletal soils at 1,250 metres, produces wines with great structure and colour intensity. After a series of exploratory trips, Kaiken Wines was born in 2002. Much like the caiquenes, the wild geese that fly over Patagonia between Chile and Argentina, Mr. Montes decided to cross the Andes with a firm purpose in mind: making great wines by combining the exceptional geographical conditions offered by Mendoza with the work and talent of both Chilean and Argentine experts. Kaiken recommends a 30-minute decanting period to “bring out the full range of delicious flavors and aromas.”

Originally planting the variety in secret from his father, it was through experimentation that Aurelio Montes Junior discovered that the Uco Valley’s high-altitude vineyards were well suited to growing Cabernet Franc. Aurelio Junior has pioneered this variety in Argentina and, together with a handful of other winemakers, has highlighted the country’s potential to produce top quality Cabernet Franc. ‘Obertura’ displays an intense and complex nose, with fresh redcurrants, plums, and some spicy notes of pepper and clove. Kaiken Winery is located in the district of Vistalba and relies on state-of-the-art technology. All of its wines are made with grapes sourced from estates distributed across the very best winemaking areas in the provinces of Mendoza (such as Vistalba, Agrelo and Vista Flores) and Salta (Cafayate).These wines feature appealing fresh fruit aromas, and complexity on the palate enhanced by ten months’ aging in French oak and six months’ in bottle. The high degree of development achieved by viticulture, added to new research promoted by a generation of restless producers, has led to the identification of micro-regions with different terroirs, reflecting the diverse character of Argentine viticulture. It is specifically in Malbec where this quality is best appreciated. The grapes for Kaiken Reserve Malbec are sourced from Kaiken‘s Agrelo vineyard, most of the vines were planted before 1970.