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2018 Cheval des Andes

$94.99

ITEM 9808516 - Removed from a professional wine storage facility

2018 Cheval des Andes

RATINGS

98The Wine Advocate

...juicy, elegant and balanced and still has some herbal and toasted notes; it's medium to full-bodied, with the creamy and luxurious texture of the modern Bordeaux, ultra fine tannins and a long, dry and precise finish.

98James Suckling

This is a plush, rich Cheval with blueberry and floral aromas and flavors. HInts of tar and fresh lavender. Full body. The depth and richness are impressive, as are the ripe yet fresh tannins. Very long and structured, yet controlled and in balance.

96Vinous / IWC

...expressively complex nose of plum, cherry and hints of spice, pepper, ink, blackberry, and blackcurrant. The oak provides a profound and subtle backdrop of sweet spice. In the mouth, it’s viscous and broad with a little juice, velvety in texture and with very fine tannins. The finish is long-lasting with a satisfying feel.

95Jeb Dunnuck

...gorgeous cassis, black cherry, and black raspberry fruit as well as plenty of ripe tobacco, green cedar, rosemary, damp earth, and spring flower-like aromas and flavors...just pure, focused, and impeccably balanced, with beautiful fruit, gorgeous tannins, and an undeniable salinity on the finish.

92Wine Spectator

Big and rich, with expressive beef and earthy notes to the dark plum and roasted dark cherry flavors, which are backed by firm tannins and acidity. Creamy in the midpalate, with hints of dried green herbs and dark chocolate on the finish.

16+ Jancis Robinson

...notes of deep cassis, blackberry and violet underneath. The palate finds an elegant ripeness – it shows admirable restraint despite the sweet black fruit at the core. There is a sour-cherry note and some remaining reduction that gives a slightly underripe note at the finish.

PRODUCER

Cheval des Andes

Cheval des Andes is a collaboration between Château Cheval Blanc of Saint-Emilion and Terrazas de los Andes, an important Argentinian producer. The roots of the joint venture were set in the 1990s, when Pierre Lurton, president of Cheval Blanc, visited Argentina and was impressed with Terrazas de los Andes’ Las Compuertas Vineyard. The 125-acre, sandy loam vineyard is planted to Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The vines were originally planted in 1929. The debut Cheval des Andes was the 1999 vintage, and each year Cheval des Andes makes just one wine, which it describes as a “grand cru” of the Andes. The blend is generally slightly more than half Malbec, with Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of other Bordeaux grapes. Reviewers have been impressed, giving the wine ratings in the low- to mid-90s.

REGION

Argentina, Mendoza (Cuyo), Luján de Cuyo, Vistalba

Luján de Cuyo was Argentina’s first official wine appellation when it was established in 1993. The appellation is named for the city of Luján de Cuyo, the department capital. Vineyards in this appellation are in the upper Mendoza Valley, and they are often at altitudes of 3,300 feet or more. The soil is sandy and alluvial with clay underneath and moderate rainfall encourages growth. Historically the area grew pink skin grapes for slightly sweet pink or white wines. Since the late 1980s, however, Malbec has been Mendoza’s most important grape, since it makes a rich, dark, robust, age-worth red. The second most important red grape is Bonarda, which is thought to be the same grape that California growers know as Charbono. Italian and Spanish red grapes including Sangiovese, Barbera and Tempranillo were brought by immigrants, and they are grown today. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Torrontés and numerous other red and white grapes are also grown successfully. Considered by many to be the most desirable wine appellation in Argentina, Luján de Cuyo has attracted attention from international winemakers and producers.

VINTAGE

2018 Cheval des Andes

Joint venture by Chateau Cheval Blanc & Terrazas de Los Andes