Dear *|FNAME|*,

A joint venture between Bordeaux superstar Château Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de Los Andes, Cheval des Andes is ‘one of South America’s greatest reds’, writes Tim Atkin.

The 2018 vintage is a blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from high-elevation vineyards (1 100 m) in Las Compuertas (a ‘jewel’ in Luján de Cuyo) and Paraje Altamira – ‘two of the most prestigious winegrowing regions of Mendoza’, says Decanter.

Dubbed the ‘Grand Cru of the Andes’, Cheval des Andes 2016 was the first vintage to be distributed on the Place de Bordeaux in 2019. Prices from 2016 to 2017 and now 2017 to 2018 have risen 15% since release, demonstrating the wine’s strong secondary market trading. 2018 is likely to follow this trend, so secure it now.

Thanks to cooler conditions, the 2018 has added freshness and elegance, but with retained fruit concentration and power that will allow it to age for another couple of decades.

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Vinous regards,

Tasting notes

Cheval des Andes Mendoza 2018

‘The 2018 Cheval des Andes is a blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon fermented in small lots in 3,000- to 8,000-liter tanks and matured 40% in 225-liter oak barrels, 40% in 400-liter oak barrels and the remaining 20% in 2,500-liter oak vats for 13 months. Ninety percent of the oak used was French and the rest a blend of Austrian, Slovenian and German oak, 50% of it new. 2018 has been one of the best vintages in recent times in Mendoza, and the wine shows it. It's a cooler vintage, and the wine has improved in freshness and elegance without losing any clout. It's 14.5% alcohol and has a pH of 3.73. This is young, 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. It's still undeveloped and seems to have all the components and the balance between them for a long and positive development in bottle. With wines like this, I sometimes wish I had a time machine so I could see them in 20 years from now... I think this is the finest Cheval des Andes I've ever tasted.’ – Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, 98/100

‘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. This will be a great wine indeed.’ – James Suckling, 98/100

‘The latest release of Cheval des Andes confirms the wine’s standing as one of South America’s greatest reds, showing that, as Gérard Gabillet puts it, “we understand our terroirs better and better every year”. Partnering Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from Las Compuertas and Paraje Altamira, it has less tannin, density and acidity than the 2017 release, but retains perfume, polish and depth. Floral and refined, with subtle coffee bean oak, sculpted tannins and plum, raspberry and blackcurrant fruit. Classy stuff.’ – Tim Atkin, 97/100

‘The 2018 Cheval Des Andes is a blend of 70% Malbec – half from Las Compuertas and half from Paraje Altamira – and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from Las Compuertas. It was aged in barrels and foudres, 50% in new oak. Purplish red in the glass. It shows an 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. A relaxed, delicate, extremely well-balanced wine with a more generous core than the 2017 vintage.’ – Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous.com, 96/100

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