Cheval des Andes - Red Blend 2019 (750ml)
Price: $65.00
| Producer | Cheval des Andes |
| Country | Argentina |
| Region | Mendoza |
| Varietal | Proprietary Red |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Sku | 5016 |
| Size | 750ml |
Tim Atkin: 99 Points
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 - Tim Atkin MW
Wine Advocate: 98 Points
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 who fermented by plot isolating some specific parts of the vineyard like the borders where you tend to get higher yields because of the irrigation. It matured in 225- and 400-liter oak barrels and in oak vats. They used more barrels and vats from Stockinger which they like and rotate; the wine spends an average of 13 to 14 months in oak but some lots get 11 months and others get 16. 2019 was a mild vintage cooler than 2017 and warmer than 2018 with rain at the right time which helped to avoid hydric stress and without extremes (which they had in 2020 with three weeks of extreme heat). 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. In the following vintages they follow this path and Gabillet feels that having more precision allows the wines to reflect the differences between vintages better. They keep producing around 100000 bottles. It was bottled in late January 2021. The way they want to describe the wine is the Argentinean expression of Cheval Blanc. And I can only agree. - Luis Gutierrez
James Suckling: 97 Points
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. Drink or hold. - James Suckling
Vinous: 97 Points
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. - Joaquin Hidalgo
jaThe Wine Independent: 96+ Points
The 2019 Cheval des Andes a blend of 50
Jane Anson: 96 Points
Rich powerful black cherry and bilberry fruits that almost perform the role of tannins with flesh and juice but also solidity concentration and texture. Balanced exudes confidence as it opens and deepens in the glass excellent quality and a real highpoint in the progression of Cheval des Andes. First time to have equal amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec with reductive winemaking that puts the emphasis on floral framing layered up with grilled oak cocoa bean and liqourice. Tasted twice. - Jane Anson
Wine Enthusiast: 95 Points
#62 Wine Enthusaist Cellar Selection of 2023 Made with equal parts Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon this blend shows balance depth and strength. It has a firm palate with a chalky texture and savory notes of rosemary bay leaf tobacco and berries in the background. Remarkable acidity drives the flavors through the long finish. It's delicious now but it will develop more complexity in the years to come. Drink now?2035. ? Jesica Vargas
| Quantity: |
