This was one of the early icons from Apalta, and Purple Angel Carmenère (with 9% Petit Verdot) is a plush, velvety and smooth operator — with layers of blueberries, spices and chocolate. A full-bodied and generous wine, with that New World blockbuster quality that Apalta became famous for. Ideal with steak and so bright you’ll need your sunglasses.
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This wine helped redefine Aconcagua’s potential for Sauvignon Blanc. Produced just a few kilometres from the coast on granite soil, this is a bright and vibrant Sauvignon Blanc filled with notes of snow peas, lime zest, passionfruit and white pepper. Deliciously easy to drink, with appealing texture and a fresh, salty finish. Top value and ideal for oysters.
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For over two decades, Kaiken winery has been a leader in the heart of Lujan de Cuyo’s Vistalba region, but also with vineyards extending from Cafayate to Patagonia. Owned by Montes of Chile, was established in 2001 although the historical building in which is based actually dates back to 1920. A visit to the winery offers an insight into historic architecture but also the pioneering attitude of the Montes family, who have adapted the winery to their modern production and expanded their lines across multiple terroirs of Argentina.
Kaiken is not only a popular visit for its wine tasting and tours, but is also home to one of Mendoza’s best winery restaurants – the excellent Ramos Generales restaurant spearheaded by celebrated Argentine chef Francis Mallmann, and set in the middle of Kaiken’s vineyard.
The wines are all made in the handsome historical winery which used to be one of the largest in the region. Enormous cement vats have been subdivided into much smaller vats and storage areas, and the beautiful cellar is set underground in the old tunnels. It is a fascinating visit due to the way that Kaiken has taken on this heritage building and re-purposed it for modern winemaking – while respecting the use of concrete for winemaking.
One of the most interesting aspects of the winery is the cellar room for Mai – the icon wine of Kaiken. Monastic Gregorian chants play on loop in this special space, which brings a calming atmosphere to the space and winemaking team.
The name Kaiken is an ode to the founder Aurelio Montes Sr, who made several trips across the Andes from Chile to Argentina until, in 2001, he decided to invest in Kaiken Wines. The name is a spin on Caiquén, a wild goose from Patagonia which flies across the Andes between Chile and Argentina. You’ll see the goose appear on many of Kaiken’s wine labels!
Viña Montes is an icon of Colchagua, producing some of the best-known wines in the region and beyond. Although Montes is associated with the Montes family, the production and Montes winery is actually owned by several associates who today claim over 700 hectares of vineyards. In recent years, Aurelio Montes Snr handed over winemaking duties to his son Aurelio Jnr who now heads up the team in Apalta who makes wines from all over Chile.
The Montes winery has Feng Shui architecture and angels hanging in the barrel room which makes it an interesting visit. Stay for lunch at the great Fuegos de Apalta restaurant overlooking the stunning Apalta hillsides and vineyards.