Kaiken by Montes Ultra Merlot 2021

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Kaiken by  Montes
Label Name:
 
Ultra Merlot
Vintage:
 
2021
Country:
 
Argentina
Region:
 
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14.5%
Grape(s):
 
Merlot
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
3
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
3
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Reviewed by Decanter (Kaiken Ultra Merlot 2021; 5%). Kaiken named New World Producer of the Year (Sommelier Wine Awards 2024) and holds B‑Corp certification

Tasting Note
Bright ruby with violet rim. Ripe cherries, plums and cassis with chocolate, coffee and spicy oak. Silky entry, fine ripe tannins, balanced acidity and a long, persistent finish.

Food Pairing
Western: roast lamb, grilled beef, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses. Asian: char siu (Cantonese), Korean BBQ (bulgogi), teriyaki beef, Peking duck, mildly spicy Sichuan dishes.

Production Method
Hand-harvested, cold soak and fermented in tank with controlled temperatures; malolactic fermentation; aged ~12 months in French oak barrels, followed by bottle ageing.

Vineyard Info
Kaiken (founded by Aurelio Montes) sources fruit from Vistalba vineyards (≈1,050m) in Luján de Cuyo. Estate established in the early 2000s focusing on premium Mendoza terroirs.