Kaiken Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon

Kaiken Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon is an Argentinian red wine from old vines in Mendoza's Luján de Cuyo, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml format. Scoring 94 points from James Suckling, this Cabernet-dominant blend draws from vines planted in 1974 at the historic Vistalba vineyard — one of Mendoza's few remaining old-vine Cabernet sites, preserved by Kaiken during the region's Malbec boom.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Vistalba, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina  |  Blend: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec  |  Producer: Kaiken Winery

Production & Heritage

Kaiken was established by legendary Chilean winemaker Aurelio Montes, who crossed the Andes to apply his expertise to Argentine terroir — the winery's name references the wild goose that migrates over the same mountain range. The Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon is hand-harvested from vines planted in 1974 at the Vistalba vineyard, a site with plantings dating back to 1910. Grapes undergo a seven-day pre-fermentation cold maceration at 10°C to extract color and aromatic complexity, followed by alcoholic fermentation at 26°C in concrete tanks. The wine matures for 12 months in French oak barrels — one-third new, one-third second use, and one-third third use — a measured approach that integrates oak character without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe blueberries and blackcurrant, layered with violets and orange peel. Deeper inhalation reveals cigar box, cedar, and a trace of dark chocolate.

Taste: The entry is alluring and dark, led by concentrated cassis and plum. The mid-palate broadens into olive, five-spice, and liquorice, while the Malbec component adds a fleshy generosity. Black pepper and roasted coffee oak emerge toward the peak, anchored by firm but polished tannins.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, carrying walnut, dark cherry, and lingering cedar. A thread of spice and subtle chocolate sustains well beyond the last sip.

How to Drink Kaiken Ultra Cabernet

This wine shows its full complexity when served at 16–18°C, ideally after 30 minutes of decanting to open the aromatic layers from those old vines. It drinks beautifully on its own and rewards patience. For cocktail-adjacent serves: a Cabernet Reduction Sangria with orange peel and cinnamon mirrors the wine's own citrus and spice notes; a classic Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) works surprisingly well given the dark fruit intensity; and a Mulled Wine preparation amplifies the existing five-spice and liquorice character naturally present in the blend.

Best For

• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates old-vine expressions from South America
• Anchoring a steak dinner or Argentine asado with a region-authentic red
• Building a vertical collection of Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon vintages
• Introducing a Bordeaux-varietal drinker to high-altitude Argentine terroir

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kaiken Ultra Cabernet taste like? It delivers concentrated black fruit — cassis, plum, and dark cherry — woven with cedar, chocolate, and five-spice complexity. The tannins are firm but polished, with a long finish that carries coffee and walnut tones.

How does Kaiken Ultra Cabernet compare to Montes Alpha Cabernet? Both wines come from winemaker Aurelio Montes, but Kaiken Ultra is his Argentine expression grown at high altitude in Luján de Cuyo, while Montes Alpha Cabernet is a Chilean wine from Colchagua Valley. The Kaiken Ultra tends toward darker fruit, more pronounced spice, and firmer tannic structure reflecting Mendoza's continental climate.

Is Kaiken Ultra Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes — its old-vine concentration, layered aromatics, and balanced oak integration make it an excellent wine for contemplative drinking, especially after brief decanting.

Where is Kaiken Ultra Cabernet made? It is produced by Kaiken Winery in Vistalba, within the Luján de Cuyo sub-region of Mendoza, Argentina. The vineyard sits at high altitude in one of Mendoza's most respected zones for Cabernet Sauvignon.

What foods pair well with Kaiken Ultra Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's tannic structure and dark fruit. Lamb chops with rosemary echo its herbal-spice notes. Aged Gouda or Manchego match its intensity without competing. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa and coffee tones. Empanadas with spiced beef filling connect naturally with the wine's Argentine roots.

What sizes does Kaiken Ultra Cabernet come in? The standard release is available in 750ml bottles.

Is Kaiken Ultra Cabernet worth the price? It positions as a premium expression within Kaiken's portfolio, sitting above the estate range and below the top-tier Obertura. For a 94-point, old-vine Cabernet from one of Mendoza's best sub-regions, it represents strong value in the premium Argentine red category.

Why Kaiken Ultra Cabernet?

The defining feature of this wine is its source material: vines planted in 1974 at a Vistalba vineyard with roots dating to 1910 — a rare surviving old-vine Cabernet site in a region that largely pivoted to Malbec. Aurelio Montes's decision to preserve and champion this vineyard gives the Ultra Cabernet a depth and concentration that younger plantings simply cannot replicate. The 94-point James Suckling score validates what the wine delivers in the glass: a structured, layered Cabernet with genuine complexity. In a category crowded with fruit-forward Malbec, this bottle makes a compelling case for Mendoza's Cabernet Sauvignon heritage.