Winemaker Notes
Ideal with a good cut of grilled meat, game dishes, or agedcheeses, which bring out the wine’s complexity.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Ultra comes from an old pergola vineyard in Vistalba, Luján de Cuyo. This cuvée is always a pleasure to drink, especially in cool vintages like 2022, as it balances concentration and spicy flavors. In this edition, the barrel aging imparts notes of sandalwood and cedar, enhancing the finish alongside the fruit. The richness and slightly liqueur-like tone define the heart of Vistalba.
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James Suckling
Rich aromas of sweet tobacco, currants and cassis. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with chewy tannins and a savory, lingering finish. Sourced from an approximately 80-year-old pergola-trained vineyard in Vista Alba. Incredible concentration. Drink now or hold.
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Wine Enthusiast
Grapes from the winery's estate in Luján de Cuyo were used to make this balanced red. The nose shows toasted oak and licorice. Subtle flavors of vanilla and cinnamon merge with rich notes of red fruit. It has round tannins and good acidity, creating a smooth sensation on the palate.
In 2000, Aurelio Montes, winemaker and founding member of Viña Montes in Chile, visited Mendoza and fell in love with its people, its terroir, the winegrowing culture and the opportunity to both learn and contribute his experience, anticipating the great potential pulsing in the area and Argentine vineyards in general.
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 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).
Kaiken Wines stand out for their elegance and modern style without compromising varietal typicity. The following lines are currently available: Kaiken Mai, Obertura Aventura,Kaiken Disobedience by Francis Mallmann, Ultra, Indómito, Terroir Series and Estate Series.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.