The third wine I'm looking at from the Montes family of wines is the Kaiken 2006 Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon. Even before discovering the wider breadth of terrific wines coming from Argentina, a few Argentine Cabernet's hit my radar. Now I seek out wines from this country, as I find that they are both distinct and full of value.
The 2006 Kaiken Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon is 96% varietal and 4% Malbec. The grapes come mostly from vines over 50 years of age. 80% of the wine was aged in French oak for 12 months. The suggested retail price for this Cab is $25.
Red raspberry, Bing cherry and vanilla notes are most prominent on the nose of this wine. Throughout the persistent palate, berry, tobacco, cassis and a touch of eucalyptus emerges. This wine has a firm tannic structure. It benefited greatly from decanting. An hour, at minimum is recommended to get the most from this Cabernet right now. The finish, which is pretty lengthy, features black fruit, espresso and mocha notes, along with earth and white pepper, that become more prominent as the wine continues to evolve in the glass.
What I like best about this Cabernet from Kaiken is that it does a fine job of showcasing how good well made Cabernet from Argentina can be, The characteristics such as dark fruit and earthiness that first made me a fan of Argentine Cabs are present here. While it's suggested retail price is $25, this wine is often available for less than $20. This wine will improve in the bottle for at least 5 or 6, years and should drink well for a few after that. All things considered, this is definitely a Cabernet I can happily recommend.
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