Alive and Kaiken

By / Wine + Drinks / October 1st, 2014 / 2

Recently I had the opportunity to re-acquaint myself with the Argentinean brand made by the Chilean company Montes.

I sat down with the winemaker and son of Montes founder, Aurelio Montes Jr., to taste the wines and talk about taking risks and long term payoffs.

You see, when the Chilean-based Montes family was looking for a new challenge they didn’t have to look very far, just a stone’s throw over the Andes mountains to their neighbour to the east.

They named the company after a native bird that flies over the Andes … Which is just what they do.

Kaiken 2014 Torrentes ($16.95)

Wine is made from 70 year old vines located in the Salta region; to me this grape is always Gewurztraminer-like, this version has great floral and spice mixed with a nice acidity.

Kaiken 2011 Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95)

Cabernet Sauvignon is not on the lips of many when thinking of Argentina but the majority of this beauty is pulled from 80+ year old vines. Black cherry and spice kick things off leading to a juicy palate full of dark, rich and round fruit. A steal at twice the price.

Kaiken 2009 Mai ($69.00)

100% Malbec from 104 year old vines that seem to self-prune (1-2 clusters per vine), giving only the best fruit for the wine. Stunning example of Malbec with cassis, blueberry, blackberry and herbal, and that’s just the nose; palate offers up so much more.

For more wine suggestions, see our other #WineWednesday posts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael is an award-winning journalist: Promoting the Promoters Award Cuvée 2010 and Ontario Wine Awards Journalist of the Year 2012.  He is also a national and international wine judge - Ontario Wine Awards, All Canadian Wine Championships; Best of Riesling — Germany; Essencia do Vinho — "Top Wines of Portugal".  He is currently the President of the Wine Writers Circle of Canada and the wine columnist for Ottawa Life and Grand magazine as well as regular contributor to Tidings, and Grapevine ... his reviews have also appeared in the LCBO Vintages magazine. Michael has also added a YouTube channel to his activities where he reviews bottles of great Ontario wine on a weekly basis. In whatever he does, it is Michael’s desire to educate, inspire and encourage others to grow their own love and enthusiasm for wine – and to realize that it is their palate that ultimately makes the decision.

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