Indomito Cabernet Franc - Bodega Kaiken

Indomito Cabernet Franc - Bodega KaikenIndomito Cabernet Franc - Bodega Kaiken shines in the glass in a bright ruby red with a delicate violet rim, dense yet clear at the core. Already at the first swirl, a deep bouquet rises, reminiscent of dark plum and ripe blackberry. Fine herbs such as thyme and rosemary join in, a hint of dried tobacco as well as subtle notes of black pepper and cedarwood. On the nose, the wine appears multi-layered. Juicy fruit aromas of plum and blackcurrant combine with hints of graphite and fine minerality from the Andes. Noble tobacco, a touch of cocoa and a hint of vanilla indicate the gentle maturation in wood. With more air, nuances of violets, bay leaf and a touch of smoke unfold, giving the wine an almost mysterious depth. On the palate, Indomito Cabernet Franc - Bodega Kaiken shows powerful presence. The texture appears dense and silky, carried by dark, concentrated fruit. Ripe plum, black cherry and blackberry gently coat the palate. The fine spice of tobacco, pepper and a touch of clove adds tension. Firm, well-integrated tannins give the wine backbone without ever seeming harsh. The acidity remains fresh and precise and lends the wine an impressive drinking dynamic. The style is clearly defined: fruit-driven, spicy, structured and yet elegant. The body presents itself as full, with noticeable pressure on the palate, but always remains in balance. In the long finish, notes of dark plum, fine tobacco, dark chocolate and a delicate herbal trace linger. A subtle mineral salinity makes you crave the next sip. The origin in Mendoza, Argentina, strongly shapes this wine. The vineyards lie under the influence of the Andes, where cool nights meet warm, sunny days. This interplay produces intense aromas, ripe tannins and an impressive freshness in the glass. Meagre, gravelly and partly calcareous soils bring structure, clear contours and a dark, almost graphite-like minerality to the wine. Cabernet Franc from Mendoza here shows its characterful side. The grape variety is considered the elegant sister of Cabernet Sauvignon and often displays somewhat cooler, spicy notes. Typical characteristics such as red and dark berries, herbs, tobacco and fine paprika remain present, but very ripe and refined. The winemakers at Kaiken emphasize this singularity and shape it into a wine with personality and depth. For quick orientation, these impressions appear on the nose and palate above all: dark plum, black cherry and blackberry herbal hints of thyme, rosemary and bay leaf subtle vanilla, cedar and graphite-like minerality The key strengths of this Argentine Cabernet Franc clearly emerge in the tasting: intense, ripe fruit with a cool, spicy vein dense yet silky structure with grippy tannins harmonious maturation in wood with finely tuned roasted notes long, aroma-rich finish with a strong sense of origin In this way, Indomito Cabernet Franc - Bodega Kaiken demonstrates how expressive and at the same time fine a varietal Cabernet Franc from Mendoza can appear. Production of Indomito Cabernet Franc by Bodega Kaiken The grapes come from selected parcels in Mendoza, where the vines grow in the clear mountain air of the Andes. The climate brings hot, sunny days and distinctly cooler nights. This allows the berries to ripen slowly and evenly, while the freshness is preserved. The soils consist mostly of alluvial land with gravel, sand and limestone, which ensures good drainage and directs the roots deep into the subsoil. Cabernet Franc shows high aromatic intensity in this environment. The variety contributes notes of dark and red berries, herbs, fine paprika, graphite and tobacco. In Mendoza, the grapes ripen particularly richly and yield a wine with a dense texture, a clearly structured tannin line and vibrant acidity. This results in a red wine with tension and elegance. Harvesting is carried out selectively, parcel by parcel, as soon as the grapes show aromatic ripeness. The winemakers already sort in the vineyard and later again in the cellar, so that only intact and ripe berries are processed. This meticulous selection lays the foundation for clarity and purity in the finished wine. In the cellar, the berries undergo gentle processing. First comes careful destemming so that only the berries reach the fermentation vessel. This is followed by a period of cold maceration, during which the must rests at reduced temperatures. During this time, color and aromatic compounds are gently extracted from the grape skins. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Thanks to precise temperature control, the aromatic profile remains clear, and the fruit appears fresh and lively. Regular punching down or pumping over of the cap extracts tannins and color in a very targeted way, without bringing out rough notes. After fermentation, the wine matures for a time in wood. One part goes into barriques, another remains in larger wooden casks or in tanks. This creates a fine balance between fruit, spice and wood. Matur...