aiken’s ‘Ultra’ wines are a step up from the Clásico and Terroir Series. The Chardonnay, 35% of which was fermented in barrel, is rich and textured, with beautifully balanced acidity. Fruit for the Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from Kaiken’s Vistalba vineyard in Luján de Cuyo, which has been farmed biodynamically since 2011. The 80-year-old vines give the wine complexity, structure, and concentration. The Malbec, from high-elevation vineyards in Vistaflores (at 1,400 metres), Gualtallary (at 1,300 metres) and Altamira (at 1,100 metres), has enticing black fruit and spicy aromas and offers good structure and soft tannins on the palate. The Merlot, sourced from over 75-year-old vines from a single vineyard in Vistalba, has pronounced aromas of cassis and dark plum.
This wine is deep red in colour with purple, almost fuchsia hues. The nose opens with aromas of star anise, white flowers and freshly harvested plums, leading into notes of blackberry and strawberry. On the palate, smooth tannins combine with flavours of ripe figs and dates and dried flowers, all lifted by a fresh acidity that continues onto the persistent finish.
