Aurelio Montes, founder of the Chilean winery Bodega Montes, traveled across the Andes until, in 2000 he rediscovered Mendoza. He viewed it as a generous land filled with superb vines and hardworking people. In 2001, he founded Kaikén Wines. Bodega Kaiken owns vineyards in some of Argentina’s most prestigious regions of Argentina including Luján de Cuyo, the Uco Valley and Salta in the Cafayate Valley. Luján de Cuyo is situated at the foot of the Andes mountains, 25 miles to the south of the city of Mendoza, Argentina. Winemaking has been under the guidance of Juan Pablo Solís since 2015.

The 2021 Kaiken Mai Malbec is a wine that rewards patience and curiosity. On the nose, it greets you with captivating aromas of smoked meats, hinting at the depth and complexity waiting in the glass. For a Malbec, it offers an impressive level of nuance, elevating it beyond the typical fruit-forward expressions of the varietal.

On the palate, this wine is bold and unapologetic. Dark cassis and warming spices dominate initially, giving way to layers of big, high-octane fruit that fill the mouth with intensity. The structure is robust, with just enough acidity and tannin to balance its power.

This is a wine that evolves with time. Tasting it through a Coravin initially revealed its boldness and strength, but after decanting and allowing it to breathe, its subtleties emerged. The air softened its edges and brought out a deeper complexity, showcasing a beautiful expression of Malbec’s potential when given the chance to shine.

By Steve Kwolek