2023 Kaiken Ultra Chardonnay
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Body: full-bodied. Fuller than most white wines from ; 14% alcohol.
Acidity: medium. from the warm climate of .
Aromas: stone fruit, tropical fruit and orchard fruit, typical of
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Log inThe grapes used for the Kaiken Ultra Chardonnay come from two different areas: 90% come from Altamira, which offers freshness and minerality, and 10% from Vistalba, which provides creaminess and volume on the palate.
The grapes used in Kaiken Ultra Chardonnay were harvested by hand and transported in 10 kg containers to prevent damage and preserve their quality. The grapes are then hand-selected in the winery, removing any elements that could be detrimental to the final quality. 65% of the juice was fermented in small tanks, allowing this process to take place under optimal conditions while preserving the characteristics and quality that the vineyard imparts to the grapes. The remainder of the juice was fermented in new French oak barrels, where it remained for a further 12 months. Fermentation lasted between 20 and 30 days and was carried out at 10°-13°C.
Kaiken Ultra Chardonnay displays a golden color with greenish hues on the rim. On the nose, the Ultra Chardonnay also reveals aromas of fruit like pineapple, white peach, and banana, along with notes of citrus, interwoven with subtle and elegant aromas released by oak aging. On the palate, this wine proves complex, fresh, and vibrant, with balanced and refreshing natural acidity leading to a lingering finish.
Kaiken Winery
The Caiquén is a wild goose from Patagonia that flies over the Andes between Argentina and Chile. Undertaking this cross-border flight presents a significant challenge for the Caiquén. Like the Caiquén, Aurelio Montes, founder of the Chilean winery Bodega Montes, made several journeys through the Andes until he rediscovered Mendoza in 2000 as a generous land full of beautiful vineyards and hardworking people. In 2001, he realized that Mendoza was the perfect place to make Kaiquén wines, wines that embody everything a great wine should be. Read more under the heading "Winery."
Character
The wine
- 100%
Origin
Bottle
Wine features
James Suckling
Score
91
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 19
Kaiken Chardonnay Mendoza Ultra 2022
Tuesday, Feb 21, 2023
Color
White
Country
Argentina
Region
Mendoza
Vintage
2022
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A lightly creamy and fresh chardonnay here with a touch of saline and mineral. Medium-bodied on the palate with fresh acidity and a light, phenolic touch to the juicy, medium-length finish. Some bitter almonds at the end. Screw cap. Drink now.
Zekun Shuai
Senior Editor
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Kaiken is the Argentinian branch of the Chilean wine company Montes. They mainly make red wine where the Malbecs are powerful, but more sophisticated than most Malbecs from Argentina. Kaiken now belongs to the top of Argentina (and actually South America) with Catena Zapata. The wines excel in elegance and unlike many South American wines, the style is much more Old World.
Argentinian Kaiken was founded in 2002 by the Chilean wine producer Aurelio Montes. They have three vineyards in Mendoza and one in Salta (before the Torrontès). The three vineyards in Mendoza vary in height from 950 to 1250 meters. There are vineyards in pergola form, with wire guidance and as a gobelet (free-standing shrub). There are minor differences in the soils, but the base is in all cases an alluvial soil due to erosion of the Andes. Some of the vineyards are cultivated biodynamically. The wines are made in Vistalba in a beautiful classic building from 1920 that was bought in 2007. The company in Argentina is managed by Aurelio Montes jr, who is also the chief winemaker. 'Kaiken' is the Mapuche Indian word for a Patagonian wild goose, which regularly travels over the Andes mountains, so as Montes crossed from Chile to Argentina.
Deze Kaiken Ultra Chardonnay heeft een goudgroene glans en presenteert frisse citrus, witte perzik en ananas met een zachte romigheid van nieuw Frans eiken en een subtiele saline en amandelachtige afdronk. De levendige zuurgraad snijdt door vette sauzen en vis en benadrukt de mineraliteit van schelpdieren, terwijl het eiken en de romigheid mooi harmoniëren met gevogelte en rijkere kazen. Probeer hem bij gegrilde of in de oven geroosterde kip met citroen en kruiden, bij boter- of roomgepocheerde zalm of coquilles van de grill, en bij romige kazen zoals Brie of oude geitenkaas voor extra balans.
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