Cheval des Andes 2019 Magnum 1,5 l

- 99 Punkte 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 closeto 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."

 - 98 Punkte Robert Parkers WINE ADVOCATE, Luis Gutierrez: „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 100,000 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.“

- 97 Punkte VINOUS, Joaquin Hidalgo: „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.“

  - 97 Punkte 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. Drink or hold.“

- 96 Punkte DECANTER, Georgina Hindle: „Smooth and so seductive, I love the texture here, supple but silky. Tannis 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.“

 - 96 Punkte JANE ANSON: „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.“

- 96 Punkte DECANTER, Georgina Hindle: „Smooth and so seductive, I love the texture here, supple but silky. Tannis 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.“

 - 17,5 Punkte JANCIS ROBINSON: „Full bottle 1,447 g – feels pretty heavy! 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.“

Wine Enthusiast, Top Cellar Selections 2023, Jesica Vargas: „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.