Cab lovers weary of spending a ton for that daily rotation, listen up!

Originally a tremendous value at $38, we take 50% off, and TAKE OFF like a Kaiken over the Andes!

Montes is the sister winery behind Kaiken, a South American beacon since the 1980s, Named after an indigenous wild goose. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate acknowledges “a well-earned reputation as one of Chile’s foremost vignerons” this is by Aurelio Montes, the master himself, with a long history of some high-scoring, age-worthy gems like this that punch WAY above their respective weights.

Wine Spectator adds “In winemaking, Montes aims for an easy-drinking and approachable style, without harsh tannins. And he is an unabashed Francophile. ‘We were trained in university to love Bordeaux,’ he says. ‘If you want to sum up my approach in one word, it is elegance.’ Still, Montes doesn’t shy away from more concentrated fruit flavors. ‘I like Napa, with its ripe and massive wines. You can drink them from the beginning with pleasure.’”

James Suckling, who is also a big fan, raves that raves that “As an expert winemaker and founding partner of Viña Montes in Chile, Montes and his team in Argentina have been persistent with their close supervision over the low-yielding vineyards in Mendoza. Coupled with the region’s unique terroirs, Kaiken has been consistently making excellent, fruit-forward wines that maintain their freshness and drinkability.”

Fruit forward? Check! Fresh? Check. Drinkable? Heck yeah. The sample lasted maybe 7 minutes after being passed around the table “assuring” deliciousness. With all the telltale aromatics and flavors of a well-rounded Cabernet with just the right kiss of age, it’s the one you’ll keep going to while your pricier bottles mature.

It’s a “case me upper” Cab for sure, if there was one.

93 Points – James Suckling

“Blueberry, ripe-blackberry, cedar and chocolate aromas. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, ripe tannins. Structured, yet seamless and rounded. Beautifully balanced and concentrated. From organically grown grapes. Drink from 2022.”

92 Points – Natalie MacLean

“A smooth and sensuous, medium-plus-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of plum, currant, blueberry, cedar and dark chocolate. Look for ripe dark berry, blueberry, mint, fine herbs, toasted nut and cedar spice flavours on the palate. Tannins are firm and pleasantly grippy. Drink or hold.”