Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2018

Description

HISTORY

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.

Just like the Caiquén, Aurelio Montes, founder of the Chilean winery Bodega Montes, made several trips across the Andes until, in 2000 he rediscovered Mendoza as a generous land filled with superb vines and hardworking people. In 2001 he realized Mendoza was the perfect place to make Kaikén Wines, wines that embody everything a great wine ought to be.

Character and elegance in every bottle

The Ultra range expresses Kaiken’s winemaking and viticulture teams wish to show their experience and knowledge of making quality wines on both sides of the Andes mountains. In Mendoza, we cultivate grapes on our estates located in the Uco and Vistalba Valleys.

The wines have big structure, with lots of complexityand length. The tannins are persistentand firm, but smooth at the same time. The wines are characterized by their minerality, elegance, and sensuality, with notes of fresh fruit.

The Chardonnay is the only white wine in the range, with a very broad aromatic profile, elegance, smooth texture, and great balance.

VINEYARDS

Los Chacayes, Uco Valley.

– Location and altitude: at 1,250 metres (4,101 feet) above sea level.

– Climate: 250/350 mm annual precipitation. Temperate climate, with severe winters and warm summers, and cool nights.

– Soil: Rocky, mixed with coarse sand and some lime. Low fertility. Permeable.

Altamira, Uco Valley.

– Location and altitude: at 1,200 metres (3,937 feet) above sea level.

– Climate: 350 mm annual precipitation. Large diurnal temperature range, with cold nights and warm days. Zone with early and late frosts.

– Soil: Chalky, with sand, lime, and stones.

Gualtallary, Uco Valley.

– Location and altitude: at 1,300–1,600 metres (4,265–5,249 feet) above sea level.

– Climate: 250 mm annual precipitation. Large diurnal temperature range, and instances of Zonda wind.

– Soil: Alluvial, poor, stony, with an important quantity of calcium carbonate and sand.

WINEMAKING

Manual harvest during March and April. Manual selection of grapes upon arrival at the winery. Pre-fermentation maceration for 7 days at 10ºC (50ºF). Fermentation lasted 7 days at 26ºC (79ºF) in concrete tanks using selected and native yeasts. Post-fermentation maceration lasted 20 days. Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally in the concrete tanks. Ageing in French oak barrels (1/3 new, 1/3 second use, 1/3 third use) for 12 months, then 6 months in bottle before being released.

HARVEST 2018

A hot, dry year, with large temperature differences between day and night (15º–20ºC / 27º–36ºF) delivered perfect ripening. After a few reduced years, yields returned to normal. With higher alcohol levels (that lend a pleasant sensation of sweetness) and rounded tannins, the 2018 wines stand out for their fruitier, riper profiles.

TECHNICAL DATA

ORIGIN: Gualtallary, Altamira and Los Chacayes, Uco Valley.

CELLARING RECOMMENDATIONS: Can be enjoyed immediately, or cellared for up to 10 years.

RECOMMENDED SERVING TEMPERATURE: 15°-17°C (59°-63ºF).

DECANTING: 30 minutes of tasting before serving.

 

Source: https://www.kaikenwines.com/vino/ultra/ultra-malbec