Cheval des Andes 2019 Mendoza i trækasse

Tim Atkin

James Suckling

Tastingbook.com

Robert Parker

Anthocyanes Yohan Castaing

Vinous

The Wine Independent

Decanter

Jancis Robinson

Tim Atkin

Cheval des Andes continues its steady ascent towards the summit of the very best and most sought-after New World reds. I tasted this wine over the space of a day and was very close to giving it 100 points. Made from an equal blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, it combines fruit from Las Compuertas and Paraje Altamira to brilliant effect. Aged in 50% new barrels and foudres, it’s effortlessly complex and detailed, with refined tannins, graphite and cut grass aromas, cassis and bramble flavours and remarkable palate length. 2025-40

Robert Parker

The 2019 Cheval des Andes had a more reductive vinification and élevage, making the wine a bit shy and in need of time to open up, as one of their objectives was to make it more age-worthy. Another objective is to get to a 50/50 blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, which they achieved in this vintage for the first time, going back to the initial character of the wine that was the idea of Argentinean winemaker Roberto de la Mota; so, they are closing the circle and going back to the initial idea, with more implication from the Cheval Blanc team. This is the first vintage fully under the charge of the new French winemaker, Gerald Gabillet,....The wine is young and tender and a bit oaky, which Gerald attributed to the reductiveness; it's ripe without excess, with around 14.2% alcohol, mellow acidity and velvety tannins. There's more Cabernet here, so the aromatic expression can be something between 2017 and 2018, but Cabernet marks the palate a lot and makes the wine more age-worthy, as it provides the structure and length that the Malbec lacks. So, the wine might be less accessible when young and should develop slowly in bottle. It's tasty and supple and has the ingredients and the balance for what they are aiming for. ….The way they want to describe the wine is the Argentinean expression of Cheval Blanc. And I can only agree.

Tastingbook.com

James Suckling

A refined but spicy Cheval, showing charcoal, blueberries, wild herbs, lavender and hints of bacon and cedar. Medium to full body with extremely fine tannins that get dialed into the fruit with violet, spices and sweet blue fruit at the end. Long and subtle.

Vinous

The 2019 Cheval des Andes is a 50/50 blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon from Las Compuertas and Paraje Altamira, Mendoza. The 2019 was 40% aged in 225-liter barrels, 40% in 500-liter barrels and 20% in foudres. It’s red with violet flecks in the glass. It has a fresh nose of plum and blackcurrant accompanied by hints of white pepper, mint and violets over a bed of cedar and sandalwood. On the palate, the feel is finely grained with a leaner, more agile flow than in previous years, while the freshness brings plenty of energy before the lengthy finish of fruit and country herb aromas.

Anthocyanes Yohan Castaing

The Wine Independent

The 2019 Cheval des Andes, a blend of 50% Malbec and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, is the result of a joint venture between Chateau Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de Los Andes. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it rolls out with broody notions of scorched earth, dried herbs, damp soil, and crushed rocks over a core of baked plums and warm cassis, plus a hint of licorice. The medium-bodied palate is delicately crafted with subtle savory and earthy flavors framed by chewy tannins, finishing minerally.

Decanter

Smooth and so seductive, I love the texture here, supple but silky. Tannins give structure and support and the focus is on perfumed red and black fruits with a richness and concentration yet liveliness from sharp acidity. It doesn't feel at all heavy but sintilates with fragrance and freshness. Easy to drink, lovely detail on show - blackcurrants, red cherries, violets with vanilla and liquorice hints. Very smooth and charming while still being a full wine. This has extreme delectability. Great winemaking on show.

Jancis Robinson

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Malbec. 'An Argentinian expression of Ch. Cheval Blanc' apparently.

Really very smart, harmonious blend of grapes and countries, not to say continents. Rich, ripe nose that says Mendoza with a beautifully balanced palate that's more like a Cheval Blanc from a ripe vintage. Very long and caressing. Rather irresistible.