Kaiken Premium Wines at Primitivo Bistro
Aurelio Montes, Sr. (founding partner of Viña Montes in Chile) followed a similar direction in crossing the Andes when he came from Chile to Mendoza, Argentina in 2001. In Mendoza he found the people, terroir, viticulture and enology to produce Argentinean wines that would combine the great conditions of the Mendoza region with the talents of people from Argentina and Chile.
The Kaiken Mendoza vineyards are in a region of foothills and high plains on the eastern side of the Andes. About 800 miles to the north of Mendoza is the town of Cafayate, in the Salta province, where their white Torrontés grapes are grown.
Some other interesting aspects I learned about making wine in Argentina are:
- Argentina is the largest producer of wine in South America and the fifth largest producer of wine in the world.
- The region around Greater Mendoza is the largest wine producing area in Latin America.
- A very small change in elevation affects the grapes dramatically.
- Severe weather with golfball-sized-hail can destroy a vineyard, so they put up sturdy nets to protect the grapevines during growing season.
- Kaiken only uses concrete tanks to maintain low temperatures during hot summers and to let the wine breathe during fermentation.
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| Almost looks like a party at my place. |
- Kaiken 2012 Terroir Series Torrontés
- Kaiken 2011 Reserva Cabernet
- Kaiken 2011 Reserva Malbec
I'd never experienced a wine quite like this one before. Researching the Torrontés grape I found it is a white grape that produces fresh, aromatic wines with moderate acidity, smooth texture and mouthfeel, plus peach and apricot aromas on the nose. The tasting notes from Kaiken add aromas of Muscat, fresh flowers and tropical fruits. I registered the floral nose, but the flavor characteristics were unusual to me and not my preferred style.
This was Kaiken's first harvest from 80-year-old vines grown at an average of 6000 feet high. These older vines have a smaller yield with better fruit. The retail price is $15.
Kaiken 2011 Reserva Cabernet, Mendoza and Uco ValleyKaiken describes this wine as being made with 70% of the grapes from 50+ year old vines in the Mendoza vineyards of Perdriel, Lunlunta and Agrelo and 30% from vineyards in the Uco Valley. The nose has intense aromas reminiscent of ripe plums and strawberries, accompanied by soft vanilla notes. It's soft and fresh in the mouth with a pleasant finish, when the fruit aromas of the wine make a comeback. The varietal mix is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Malbec. I thought it was excellent and the retail price is only $12!
Kaiken 2011 Reserva Malbec
A combination of 70% of the grapes from 40+ year old vines in the Agrelo and Vistalba vineyards and 30% from vineyards in the Uco Valley. The nose has mature red fruits and some spiciness, accompanied by vanilla aromas. The mouth has a nice acidity with velvety, round and elegant tannins. The varietal blend is 96% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. I found this wine to be a very rich with a black fruit flavor and a slight essence of leather. Very good and the retail price is only $12!
- Kaiken 2012 Terroir Series Malbec
- Kaiken 2011 Ultra Cabernet
- Kaiken 2011 Ultra Malbec
Described as having a nose of blueberries, blackberries and floral aromas, this wine is backed by the structure and freshness of Petit Verdot, ending with a mineral finish provided by Bonarda (aka Douce noir, a red French wine grape variety). The unique combination of Bonarda and Petit Verdot contribute a freshness and structure to the Malbec characteristics. I thought it tasted very good. The retail price is $22.
Kaiken 2011 Ultra Cabernet
According to Kaiken's technical data this wine is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec. It has hints of mature red berries, tobacco and spices accompanied by vanilla notes. On the mouth it is a dense, mouth filling wine showing plum, redcurrant and mocha flavors, good structure with ripe, round and soft tannins.
Well, I found it to be very tannic, but I suppose it can mellow out over time. The Kaiken food pairing notes made sense to me. I'm sure this Cabernet pairs well with red meats and spicy sauces, becaue it went very well with the spicy pizza appetizer that was served. Just what I like--a rich red wine that pairs well with spicy food! This wine is well worth the $23 retail price.
Kaiken 2011 Ultra Malbec
Kaiken's notes describe this wine as having a nose that's flowery with mineral notes, plus spicy touches. On the mouth it has a flavor of sweet plum, mocha and black cherry plus tannins that are both soft and present. Well balanced with a very long and polished finish, where fruits like blueberry and boysenberry are evident. I definitely got big a black cherry flavor characteristic. Yummy! Now I know why the 2011 Ultra Malbec won an "Exceptional Value Wine" award--at the low price of $14-$19 it's a winner!
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| This guy is really into his wine! |
Kaiken explains that “Mai” means “First” in the language of the indigenous Pehuenches, which is why it was selected for the name of their first icon wine. Mai is a combination of Malbec grapes from the from 80-year-old vines in Agrelo, Vistalba, and Vista Flores regions of Mendoza. The wine has ripe fruit and spicy aromas, and a silky, sensuous palate with smooth, ripe tannins. It is produced in limited quantities of about 500 cases per year.
I'm sure a bottle of 2007 Mai is worth the $80 retail price with 91 point ratings from both Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator, although my budget may have a little trouble with the $80 price. I suppose I could rationalize buying a few bottles if I save about $200 (or more, depending on the prices you're comparing) by buying just one case of 2011 Reserva Cabernet and one case of 2011 Ultra Malbec. Wine Searcher lists Kaiken 2007 Mai at a few Southern California locations:
- Vino Paraiso, Murrieta $69.95
- Wine House, Los Angeles $79.99
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| Aurelio Montes, Jr. with a bottle of 2007 Mai |
Cheers!
What's your favorite wine from Argentina?
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