Kaiken, `Mai` Mendoza Malbec
Vintage: 2020
Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | KA108T20 | 3 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
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.
Vineyards
The grapes used to make Mai are sourced from the Kaiken estate in Vistalba, (Luján de Cuyo) a century-old vineyard planted in 1910 and located just south of the city of Mendoza. As is true of many vineyards in Mendoza, Vistalba's soils are characterised by their alluvial origin, which means they were created by a process of water erosion in the Andes. These soils are deep and consist of sandy loam, as well as smooth pebbles found about one meter under the ground, which create a loose and permeable soil structure. The vineyard experiences a broad temperature range, low humidity, and fantastic sun exposure which aids in developing high-quality fruit.
Vintage
The 2020 harvest season was warm and dry, contributing to an earlier ripening stage compared to previous years. Irrigation management was crucial for proper vine care and balance in warm years like this one. Because there were fewer berries per cluster, yield significantly decreased, which resulted in outstanding grape concentration and skin quality. Without a doubt, the 2020 growing season will be remembered as one of the most challenging ever, not only because of the technical skills required but also because of the global pandemic that was spreading at the time. In this sense, understanding climate conditions and grape characteristics proved essential.
Vinification
The grapes were hand-picked from late March to early April, and manually sorted upon arrival to the winery to preserve only the best clusters. Once sorted, the fruit underwent 7 days of cold, pre-fermentation maceration at 10°C. Alcoholic fermentation took place in concrete tanks for 7 days at a controlled temperature of 25°C using both selected and natural yeasts. This was followed by post-fermentation maceration for 20 days. The wine was then poured in to new and second-use barrels and aged for 18 months. Recently, 500 and 600-litre oak barrels were introduced to deliver an even fruitier and fresher expression, laced nicely with the oak.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
A lively garnet red with ruby sparks. On the nose this wine offers an elegant combination of ripe red and black fruits, such as strawberries, cherries, plums and raspberries, laced with hints of tobacco, vanilla and nuts. Very aromatic and complex. The palate is intense yet delicate, with a balanced acidity that leads to a long, elegant finish. An enjoyable wine with extraordinary balance, volume and flavours, enhancing its aromatic sensations and extending them in time—much like the centenarian vineyard that continues making history vintage after vintage.
Alcohol (ABV)
14.5%
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kaiken | Método Tradicional Brut | KA110 | SpW | Factsheet | |
`Obertura` Uco Valley Cabernet Franc | KA112 | R | Factsheet | ||
Disobedience by Francis Mallmann Red Blend | KA124 | R | Factsheet | ||
Ultra | Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon | KA105 | R | Factsheet | |
Mendoza Malbec | KA106 | R | |||
Mendoza Chardonnay | KA107 | W | |||
Mendoza Merlot | KA114 | R | |||
Clásico | Mendoza Malbec | KA101 | R | ||
Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon | KA109 | R | |||
Mendoza Chardonnay | KA120 | W | |||
Terroir Series | Cafayate Torrontés | KA102 | W | ||
Vistaflores Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec/Petit Verdot | KA103 | R | |||
Vistaflores Malbec/Bonarda/Petit Verdot | KA104 | R | |||
Kaiken Aventura | `Aventura` Los Chacayes Norte Malbec | KA121 | R | ||
`Aventura` Los Chacayes Sur Malbec | KA122 | R | |||
`Aventura` Valle de Canota Malbec | KA123 | R |