A Whole Bunch Wines Guide to Kaiken
It's the Whole Bunch Wines Guide to Kaiken. This is one of our absolute favourite producers and they makes heaps of different and interesting wines. From your classic everyday drinking Malbec, to proper premium stuff, (and everything in between).
The History of Kaiken
The Caiquén is a wild goose from Patagonia that flies across The Andes between Argentina and Chile. By embarking on this cross-border flight the Caiquén takes up a major challenge. Similarly, Aurelio Montes set across the Andes in search of a challenge.
Kaiken Winery comes from legendary Chilean winemaker Aurelio Montes. After much exploration, he settled on the now site of the Kaiken Winery as the place for his vivifying vino-based journey into the world of Argentinian wine. He clearly new what he was up to as Kaiken was named ‘New World Producer of the Year’ by the Sommelier Wine Awards in 2024. This may be their ‘entry-level’ offering, but it punches well above its level.
The Kaiken Vineyards
The Kaiken vineyards are split across two areas in the Luján de Cayo department of Mendoza. They are the areas of Agrelo and Vistalba.
Agrelo can be found towards the foot of the Andes mountains, just 40 kilometres south of the city of Mendoza. Here, altitude helps to provide a long ripening period and preserve acidity due to the large fluctuations in night and daytime temperatures, (which is known as the diurnal range).
The Vistalba area is just 20 kilometres south of Mendoza. Here, they have just a third of the vineyard size, but the vines are found at even higher altitude. The vines, sitting at an average of over 1000 metres above sea level, are renowned for producing grapes with deep flavour concentration and expression. Nothing but elegant and complex wines, with impeccable structure.
Kaiken Wines
Whole Bunch Wines is proud to stock a few different examples of Kaiken wines. If you love Argentinian wine, then keep reading for some delicious tipples.
Kaiken Classic Malbec [£17.50]
- On the nose, pronounced plum and blackberry aromas are complemented by notes of chocolate and tobacco from six months in French oak barrels. The palate is very fresh with soft and ripe tannins. A wonderful every-day Malbec. Buy Now
Kaiken Ultra Malbec [£24.50]
- Kaiken Ultra Malbec is deep ruby red in colour, with purple tones and a wonderful display of rich aromas. This is your Malbec on steroids!! Buy Now
Kaiken Disobedience [£28.50]
- The ‘Disobedience’ line is a collaboration with famed Argentinian Chef Francis Mallmann, who featured on Netflix’s Chef Table. The end result is a truly exceptional and complex wine packed with spicy, herbaceous and ripe red and black fruit flavours that linger in a persistent finish. Buy Now
Kaiken Obertura Cabernet Franc [£40.50]
- Kaiken Obertura Cabernet Franc is an intense and complex creation. A Cab Franc of the highest order. You'll note aromas of ripe redcurrant, plum, red bell pepper, black pepper, fresh thyme and mint. Beyond that, more fruit flavours will develop of the palate, along with a notable minerality. Chiefly, you'll get notes of strawberry, raspberry, red cherry and a touch of blueberry. Buy Now
Kaiken Mai Malbec [£62]
- The Kaiken Mai Malbec is exceptional. It has been aged for 18 months in new French oak, adding in complexity and a luscious structure. This absolutely world-class wine is bursting with deeply powerful notes of violet, black fruit, stone fruit and mocha. Silky, supple and sensational. Buy Now
Don't Miss Out!
Make sure to check out our wine tastings and monthly wine club, if you want to try great wines like the ones mentioned in this blog post. Links below:
- Manchester Wine Tastings & Events
- Sauce Subscription (Monthly Wine Club)