Kaiken Ultra Chardonnay 2011
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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.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
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.