Vintage: 2022

VintageProduct CodeFormatClosureAvailability
2022KA102B226 x 75ScrewcapAvailable
Vegetarian
Vegan
Producer

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. After several exploratory trips, Aurelio saw the enormous potential for premium viticulture in this region and founded the Kaiken winery in 2002. He aims to make great wines in Mendoza and, in doing so, to show the best of both sides of the Andes.

Kaiken’s estate vineyards are planted in the heart of Mendoza and further south in the Uco Valley, where many premium producers are now sourcing fruit. Their focus is primarily on Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, a variety once almost forgotten in the region. 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 which was first planted in 1910.

Originally planting the variety in secret from his father, it was through experimentation that Aurelio Montes Junior discovered that the Uco Valley’s high-elevation vineyards were also 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. Kaiken’s ‘Obertura’ displays an intense and complex nose, with fresh redcurrants, plums and spicy notes of pepper and clove. The grapes for Kaiken’s traditional method sparkling wine are sourced from the renowned sub-region of Gualtallary, also in the Uco Valley. Here limestone-rich soils and elevations of around 1,400 metres provide optimal conditions for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

‘Disobedience’ by Francis Mallmann represents Kaikens long collaboration with this famed Argentinian chef. Known for his distinct style of open-fire cooking, Mallmann has numerous restaurants worldwide including a site at Kaiken. ‘Disobedience’ comprises a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot sourced from Altamira and Vistalba. 30% of the wine is aged in first-use French oak while the remainder is aged in used oak barrels to create a rounded, rich wine with expressive red fruit and sweet spice notes. Meaning ‘first’ in the Pehuenche dialect, ‘Mai’ is Kaiken’s top wine. Sourced from 100-year-old vines in Vistalba, this 100% Malbec is structured and powerful yet balanced. It is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, which lends the wine a complexity and roundness that carries through to the finish. The wine is ready to be enjoyed now but has the intensity and structure to age for the next decade.

Terroir Series

Kaiken’s Terroir Series represents the best of each variety from a particular area of Mendoza. The Torrontés, from Salta in the north of Argentina (which produces the country’s best examples of this variety), is bright, fresh and perfumed. Kaiken also embraces blending to make wines that represent the nuances of their site, the Malbec/Bonarda/Petit Verdot being a case in point. The Malbec and Petit Verdot grapes are sourced from the estate vineyard in Vistaflores in the Uco Valley, and the Bonarda from their estate in Agrelo. It has good colour, a lifted and attractive character on the nose and a chewy density of fruit on the palate. Equally impressive is the Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec/Petit Verdot blend. The grapes are sourced from the estate vineyard in Vistaflores in the Uco Valley. The fruit is nicely defined by a classic structure that sets it apart from many Argentinian wines.

Vineyards

The grapes are sourced from the prestigious Cafayate Valley in Salta. Here, cooler nights enable the grapes to retain their acidity and fine flavours. The vines are situated at an altitude of 1,600 metres above sea level and have an average age of 80 years. Soils are rocky and sandy. These conditions enable the winemakers to achieve lower yields and more balanced grapes.

Vintage

The 2022 vintage began with a cold and dry spring, late frosts fell on some areas in late October, affecting flowering and fruit set. The first two weeks in January started with a heat wave but frequent rainfalls toward late January, continuing in February and early March, resulted in higher rainfall volumes than average for summer. However, proper vineyard management led to the harvest of deliciously fresh fruit at just the right time.

Vinification

The grapes were hand harvested in mid-February into small 20 kilogram bins and manually sorted before entering the winery, where they were destemmed, crushed and pressed. The must was then left to settle for at least 48 hours prior to a 20 day fermentation, with selected yeasts, at a controlled temperature of 14°C in concrete tanks. After fermentation, the wine remained on lees for about six months with regular racking, before being filtered and bottled. No oak was used at any point.

Tasting Notes & Technical Details

This wine is yellow in colour with green hues. The nose is very alluring with aromas of grapefruit, lemon peel and white flowers. The palate is fruity and fresh with a vibrant acidity to complement the citrus fruit flavours.

Alcohol (ABV)

13%

Acidity

6.75 g/l

Residual Sugar

1.8 g/l

pH

3.54

Other wines from this producer

Producer
Wine
Product Code
Features
Style
Kaiken`Mai` Mendoza MalbecKA108
Vegetarian
Vegan
Practising Organic
R
Red
Factsheet
Método Tradicional BrutKA110
Vegetarian
Vegan
Sustainable
SpW
Sparkling White
Factsheet
`Obertura` Uco Valley Cabernet FrancKA112
Vegetarian
Vegan
R
Red
Factsheet
Disobedience by Francis Mallmann Red BlendKA124
Vegetarian
Vegan
R
Red
Factsheet
UltraMendoza Cabernet SauvignonKA105
Vegetarian
Vegan
R
Red
Mendoza MalbecKA106
Vegetarian
Vegan
R
Red
Mendoza ChardonnayKA107
Vegetarian
Vegan
W
White
Factsheet
Mendoza MerlotKA114
Vegetarian
Vegan
R
Red
Factsheet
ClásicoMendoza MalbecKA101
Vegetarian
Vegan
R
Red
Factsheet
Mendoza Cabernet SauvignonKA109
R
Red
Mendoza ChardonnayKA120
W
White
Terroir SeriesVistaflores Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec/Petit VerdotKA103
Vegetarian
Vegan
R
Red
Vistaflores Malbec/Bonarda/Petit VerdotKA104
R
Red
Kaiken Aventura`Aventura` Los Chacayes Norte MalbecKA121
R
Red
`Aventura` Los Chacayes Sur MalbecKA122
Vegetarian
Vegan
R
Red
`Aventura` Valle de Canota MalbecKA123
Vegetarian
Vegan
Sustainable
R
Red
Factsheet