Kaiken Ultra, Mendoza Chardonnay 2023

Kaiken Ultra Chardonnay is produced in the renowned Altamira sub-region in the Uco Valley, where high altitude, ample sunshine and a high diurnal range provide optimal conditions for growing Chardonnay. It has a lovely golden colour, and the aromas are extremely inviting, with tropical notes of pineapple, as well as white peach and citrus. The oak ageing gives it a buttery quality, as well as a touch of vanilla. As the name suggests, the palate is rich and complex with a lovely, creamy texture yet always remains fresh and dry. This is a really excellent Chardonnay which strikes a difficult balance where all too many Chardonnays fall short: fresh, dry and elegant, gently layered with that rich, toasty oak, and never smothered.

Kaikenes are wild geese, native to Patagonia, that fly across the Andes between Chile and Argentina. In the same way, Montes, the Chilean winery, crossed the Andes to set up in Mendoza. Their vineyards are situated in the heart of Mendoza and further to the south in Valle de Uco, where many of the premium producers are now sourcing their fruit. The focus is primarily on Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, a variety that has been somewhat forgotten as Malbec has surfed one wave of success after another in the past decade. As a result, there are many old vineyards in Mendoza that produce excellent fruit. Kaiken's own vineyards supply 70% of their production requirements and 30% is from vineyards that they control.