Cheval des Andes 2021
Cheval des Andes is a prestigious red blend from Mendoza, Argentina, specifically sourced from the high-altitude subregions of Luján de Cuyo and Paraje Altamira. Founded in 1999, the winery is a celebrated joint venture between the iconic Saint-Émilion estate Château Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes, blending French 'savoir-faire' with Argentine terroir. The winemaking philosophy focuses on creating an 'Andean Grand Cru' by utilizing ungrafted old-growth Malbec vines, some planted as early as 1929, to produce wines defined by elegance, freshness, and exceptional ageing potential.
Wine Description
This vintage presents a refined sensory profile with a deep color and a complex nose featuring aromas of blueberries, fresh flowers, currant bush, and subtle hints of baking spices like nutmeg. On the palate, the wine is medium to full bodied, showing a seamless and layered mouthfeel with extremely fine, integrated tannins and a savory finish of cocoa and salted crackers. A blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot, it displays remarkable purity and a leafy, Bordeaux-like class. This elegant wine is built for longevity, with an optimal drinking window spanning from 2027 through 2044.
Accolades
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James Suckling - 98 points: Complex aromas of blueberries, pie crust, fresh flowers and currant bush with hints of baking spices like nutmeg. Medium- to full-bodied with extremely fine tannins that are integrated and gorgeous. Graceful and refined, with super length. Interestingly, 20% of the wine was aged in large oak casks (2,500 liters), mostly from Slovenia. Try after 2027 but a joy to taste now.
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Robert Parker - 97 points: The 2021 Cheval des Andes is seductive and savory on the nose, leading with pure, earth-tinged aromas of pipe tobacco, turned soil, dried herbs and rich yet composed dark fruits. Exotic, dark spice notes and a pleasantly integrated framing of new oak accents appear with further aeration. The palate is deliciously supple and impressively layered, with a harmonious, long and ever-expanding finish that highlights extreme delicacy. The tannins are persistent yet composed, gently yet persistently lengthening the finish and melding nicely with the vibrant acidity underneath—a beautiful combination of savory charm, serious depth and focused intensity. It's a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Malbec and 3% Petite Verdot that spent an average of 12-13 months in 50% barrique, 30% demi-muid and 20% foudre.
Food Pairing
The structured tannins and dark fruit profile of this blend make it an ideal companion for roasted red meats, such as a grilled flank steak or herb-crusted lamb. It also pairs beautifully with earthy dishes like wild mushroom risotto, salted mushrooms, or duck breast served with a berry reduction.
Cheval des Andes is a prestigious red blend from Mendoza, Argentina, specifically sourced from the high-altitude subregions of Luján de Cuyo and Paraje Altamira. Founded in 1999, the winery is a celebrated joint venture between the iconic Saint-Émilion estate Château Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes, blending French 'savoir-faire' with Argentine terroir. The winemaking philosophy focuses on creating an 'Andean Grand Cru' by utilizing ungrafted old-growth Malbec vines, some planted as early as 1929, to produce wines defined by elegance, freshness, and exceptional ageing potential.
Wine Description
This vintage presents a refined sensory profile with a deep color and a complex nose featuring aromas of blueberries, fresh flowers, currant bush, and subtle hints of baking spices like nutmeg. On the palate, the wine is medium to full bodied, showing a seamless and layered mouthfeel with extremely fine, integrated tannins and a savory finish of cocoa and salted crackers. A blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot, it displays remarkable purity and a leafy, Bordeaux-like class. This elegant wine is built for longevity, with an optimal drinking window spanning from 2027 through 2044.
Accolades
-
James Suckling - 98 points: Complex aromas of blueberries, pie crust, fresh flowers and currant bush with hints of baking spices like nutmeg. Medium- to full-bodied with extremely fine tannins that are integrated and gorgeous. Graceful and refined, with super length. Interestingly, 20% of the wine was aged in large oak casks (2,500 liters), mostly from Slovenia. Try after 2027 but a joy to taste now.
-
Robert Parker - 97 points: The 2021 Cheval des Andes is seductive and savory on the nose, leading with pure, earth-tinged aromas of pipe tobacco, turned soil, dried herbs and rich yet composed dark fruits. Exotic, dark spice notes and a pleasantly integrated framing of new oak accents appear with further aeration. The palate is deliciously supple and impressively layered, with a harmonious, long and ever-expanding finish that highlights extreme delicacy. The tannins are persistent yet composed, gently yet persistently lengthening the finish and melding nicely with the vibrant acidity underneath—a beautiful combination of savory charm, serious depth and focused intensity. It's a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Malbec and 3% Petite Verdot that spent an average of 12-13 months in 50% barrique, 30% demi-muid and 20% foudre.
Food Pairing
The structured tannins and dark fruit profile of this blend make it an ideal companion for roasted red meats, such as a grilled flank steak or herb-crusted lamb. It also pairs beautifully with earthy dishes like wild mushroom risotto, salted mushrooms, or duck breast served with a berry reduction.
Description
Cheval des Andes is a prestigious red blend from Mendoza, Argentina, specifically sourced from the high-altitude subregions of Luján de Cuyo and Paraje Altamira. Founded in 1999, the winery is a celebrated joint venture between the iconic Saint-Émilion estate Château Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes, blending French 'savoir-faire' with Argentine terroir. The winemaking philosophy focuses on creating an 'Andean Grand Cru' by utilizing ungrafted old-growth Malbec vines, some planted as early as 1929, to produce wines defined by elegance, freshness, and exceptional ageing potential.
Wine Description
This vintage presents a refined sensory profile with a deep color and a complex nose featuring aromas of blueberries, fresh flowers, currant bush, and subtle hints of baking spices like nutmeg. On the palate, the wine is medium to full bodied, showing a seamless and layered mouthfeel with extremely fine, integrated tannins and a savory finish of cocoa and salted crackers. A blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot, it displays remarkable purity and a leafy, Bordeaux-like class. This elegant wine is built for longevity, with an optimal drinking window spanning from 2027 through 2044.
Accolades
-
James Suckling - 98 points: Complex aromas of blueberries, pie crust, fresh flowers and currant bush with hints of baking spices like nutmeg. Medium- to full-bodied with extremely fine tannins that are integrated and gorgeous. Graceful and refined, with super length. Interestingly, 20% of the wine was aged in large oak casks (2,500 liters), mostly from Slovenia. Try after 2027 but a joy to taste now.
-
Robert Parker - 97 points: The 2021 Cheval des Andes is seductive and savory on the nose, leading with pure, earth-tinged aromas of pipe tobacco, turned soil, dried herbs and rich yet composed dark fruits. Exotic, dark spice notes and a pleasantly integrated framing of new oak accents appear with further aeration. The palate is deliciously supple and impressively layered, with a harmonious, long and ever-expanding finish that highlights extreme delicacy. The tannins are persistent yet composed, gently yet persistently lengthening the finish and melding nicely with the vibrant acidity underneath—a beautiful combination of savory charm, serious depth and focused intensity. It's a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Malbec and 3% Petite Verdot that spent an average of 12-13 months in 50% barrique, 30% demi-muid and 20% foudre.
Food Pairing
The structured tannins and dark fruit profile of this blend make it an ideal companion for roasted red meats, such as a grilled flank steak or herb-crusted lamb. It also pairs beautifully with earthy dishes like wild mushroom risotto, salted mushrooms, or duck breast served with a berry reduction.
