The Caiquen is a wild goose from Patagonia that flies across The Andes between Argentina and Chile. By embarking on this cross-border flight the Caiquen takes up a major challenge. Just like the Caiquen, Aurelio Montes, founder of the Chilean winery Bodega Montes, made several trips across the Andes until, in 2000 he rediscovered Mendoza as a generous land filled with superb vines and hardworking people. In 2001, he realized Mendoza was the perfect place to make Kaiken Wines, wines that embody everything a great wine ought to be.
The grapes used to make Kaiken Ultra Malbec come from vineyards located in the Uco Valley, where the great variations of heights and soils allow for different and varied characteristics in the grapes, which are then translated into distinctive and complex wines. The grapes are harvested from three different vineyards, each with unique characteristics and established as terroirs of exceptional quality. The vineyards are located at different altitudes: Los Chacayes and Gualtallary at 1,300 meters (4,265 ft.) above sea level, and Altamira, at 1,100 meters (3,600 ft.). Despite the differences in heights and areas, all the vineyards have alluvial soils of similar characteristics. The surface layers have some sand mixed with boulder rocks followed by a high concentration and density of stones, which provide excellent drainage to the soil and create ideal conditions for growing highly concentrated grapes.
100% Malbec grapes are hand harvested and then manually selected in the winery. The juice fermented in small tanks, preserving the characteristics and quality that the vineyard lends the grapes. Fermentation and maceration extended for a month. Then the wine was transferred to French oak barrels one third new for 12 months.
Wine Spectator scored this 91 points saying "Well-structured, with firm tannins supporting the deep, rich boysenberry and spice flavors. Intense dark chocolate notes linger on the pure-tasting finish, revealing slate and dried herbal accents. Drink now through 2024."
James Suckling scored this 93 points saying "Always a solid malbec with dark-berry, dried-flower and sweet-tobacco character. Full-bodied, horizontal and open. Flavorful finish. Complexity for the money! Drink or hold."