Kaiken Ultra Mendoza Malbec 2022
The nose reveals bold aromas of blackberries and violets, with delicate notes of white flowers, black fruits, and subtle hints of white pepper and clove. Oak ageing adds a touch of vanilla. On the palate, it offers a soft, silky entry with well-integrated tannins, balanced acidity, and prominent flavours of blackberries, raspberries, wood, and spice.
Grapes for this wine come from the three vineyards of Los Chacayes, Altamira and Gualtallaray in the Uco Valley, 100 km south of Mendoza.
The grapes were hand harvested in April. At the winery, a meticulous hand selection process ensured only the best clusters were used. The grapes underwent a seven day pre-fermentation maceration at a cool 10°C in concrete tanks. Fermentation followed for seven days at a controlled temperature of 26°C with selected natural yeasts. Post-fermentation, the wine was left on the skins for 20 days to extract tannins and flavours. Natural malolactic fermentation took place in concrete tanks. The wine was then matured in French oak barrels, one-third new, one-third second use, and one-third third use, for 12 months. The wine was then aged in bottle for an additional 6 months before release.
| RRP | £17.99 |
| Bottle size | 75cl |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Alcoholic strength | 14.5% |
| Awards | Silver, IWC, 2025; BTG Trophy, SWA, 2025 |
| Country | Argentina |
| Region | Mendoza |
| Subregion | Valle de Uco |
| Grapes | Malbec 100% |
| Residual sugar (g/l) | 2.41 |
| Contains sulphites | Yes |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Organic | No |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Stelvin Lux |
| Winemaker | Gustavo Hörmann |
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. His aim is to make great wines in Mendoza and, in doing so, show the best of both sides of the Andes. His efforts have clearly yielded great results, with Kaiken named ‘New World Producer of the Year’ by the Sommelier Wine Awards in 2024. In addition, they have now achieved B-Corp certification, illustrating their commitment to both responsible and sustainable business practices.
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.
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