Cheval des Andes Mendoza Malbec Cabernet Blend 750ml

Cheval des Andes is what happens when Bordeaux moves to the foot of the Andes. Founded in 1999 as a joint venture between Château Cheval Blanc of Saint-Émilion and Terrazas de los Andes, it is a single wine estate with a single ambition: to make an Argentine red with the structure and cellaring potential of a great Bordeaux.

The wine

A blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a touch of Petit Verdot in some vintages. The proportions shift each year according to the harvest. In recent releases the blend has sat close to half Cabernet Sauvignon and half Malbec, drawn from two vineyards: the old ungrafted vines of Las Compuertas in Luján de Cuyo, and the higher, cooler Paraje Altamira in the Uco Valley.

Those Las Compuertas vines are part of the story. Malbec arrived in Argentina from Bordeaux in the mid nineteenth century, decades before phylloxera destroyed the original French vineyards. The vines here were never grafted, which makes them a living link to a Bordeaux that no longer exists.

Tasting notes

Deep ruby with violet reflections. The nose opens with plum, blackcurrant, and violet, layered with white pepper, mint, and cedar. The palate is where the two grapes do their work: Malbec brings flesh and dark fruit, Cabernet Sauvignon brings the frame. Tannins are fine grained and polished rather than powerful, carried by bright acidity through a long, savory finish of dark fruit and mountain herbs.

Elegant rather than heavy. This is a wine built on balance, and it rewards patience.

Critical acclaim

Cheval des Andes has become one of the most consistently celebrated wines in South America. James Suckling awarded 100 points to the 2017 vintage, 99 points to the 2016, and 98 points to both the 2018 and 2022. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate scored the 2018 at 98 points and the 2022 at 97. Scores are vintage specific and the bottle you receive may differ.

Food pairing

• Grilled ribeye, short rib, or a proper Argentine asado
• Rack of lamb with rosemary
• Duck breast with cherry or plum
• Aged hard cheeses such as Manchego or Parmigiano Reggiano
• Mushroom risotto or roasted root vegetables

Serving

Temperature: 60 to 64°F (16 to 18°C)
Decant: Yes, 60 to 90 minutes. Younger bottles open considerably with air.
Glassware: Bordeaux glass
Cellaring: Built to age. Recent vintages will continue developing for 15 to 20 years or more.

At a glance

• Producer: Cheval des Andes
• Region: Mendoza, Argentina
• Sub regions: Las Compuertas (Luján de Cuyo) and Paraje Altamira (Uco Valley)
• Varietals: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot in some vintages
• Style: Full bodied red blend
• Size: 750ml

Hand selected by Guida Rodríguez, WSET Level 3 certified sommelier and founder of Wine & Sense Club.