Winery - Kaiken
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A big and mauling version of Malbec. The nose is minty and dark, while the palate runs syrupy and full, with heavy black-fruit flavors darkened even more by a persistent peppery streak. Much less restrained and elegant than the Kaiken Ultra.
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Kaiken Malbec - 2005
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A little big and heavy, but that’s the style that Kaiken has pushed since arriving on the market a few years ago. This version has baked-fruit aromas backed by lemon peel and espresso, while the palate is rich, dark and syrupy, but also oaky and tannic. Seems to want to offer more than it can deliver. The 14.5% alcohol level tells you that it’s a big boy.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Since coming onto the scene with the 2002 vintage, this Chilean-run venture (Montes S.A.) has hit the right notes time after time. The 2005 Ultra is exactly as we’ve come to expect: It’s saturated, dark, meaty and ripe, with huge blackberry flavors and lavish creamy oak. Very modern, but done in the right way.
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Kaiken Malbec - 2005
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Since Aurelio Montes of Chile crossed the Andes three or four years ago to make Kaiken, the Ultra line—be it Malbec or Cabernet—has been a consistent performer. This vintage pours on the rich, extracted aromas of black fruit and cassis, and then follows that up with similar flavors. It’s full-bodied but not necessarily a heavy wine, with sweetness and chocolate but not much nuance or complexity. Drink now–2009.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Funky and sharp at first, with aromas of a dog fresh out of the rain. The palate is choppy and a bit hot, with sharp, generic cherry flavors along with some carob. Finishes with angular, tart flavors and notes of coffee and mocha.
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Kaiken Malbec - 2009
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Smells candied and gummy, with sweet, stewy red-berry aromas along with carob. The palate is fairly full and tannic, with cooked, herbal berry flavors that carry over onto the finish, which folds in coffee and grabby tannins. Good enough but sort of stewed and candied.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Solid stuff, with a touch of leather and earth mingling with candied dark-fruit aromas. The wine is plush and ripe, with full black cherry and plum flavors sitting on a sturdy, medium-tannin frame. Appealing and approachable, with no glaring flaws. Excellent for near-term drinking.
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Kaiken Malbec - 2006
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Seems like everyone is making a rosé these days. This one from Montes smells slightly like pickled cabbage, but in the mouth it is more focused and pure, with citrus, pink grapefruit and pithy flavors. The finish is also a bit pithy and bitter. Otherwise, it’s reasonably fresh and solid.
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Kaiken Malbec - 2008
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A big, full-bodied Malbec with charm. The nose is toasty, with black fruit, chocolate and other stocky, earthy aromas. Saturated in the mouth, with concentrated black fruit flavors. Shows touches of mint and spice on the finish along with coffee, licorice and chocolate. Drink now through 2012.
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Kaiken Malbec - 2007
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Lauded Chilean winemaker Aurelio Montes traveled across the Andes to make this wine, just like the Kaiken bird does when it migrates. It’s quite stunning, especially given the price. Look for black plum, licorice, cassis, earth and coffee aromas and flavors. The bitter chocolate finish is dynamite in terms of tannic structure and length.
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