2004 Cheval des Andes
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Tasting notes
(a blend of 55% malbec, 43% cabernet sauvignon and 2% petit verdot) Saturated bright ruby. Singular nose offers dark berries, fresh herbs, flowers and an exotic whiff of apricot. Suave, juicy and lively, with the white fruit quality carrying through on the wonderfully delineated palate. Very subtle flavors of dark berries, bitter cherry, tobacco leaf, musky earth and fresh herbs. Not a sweet style but plenty ripe, with serious but well-integrated acidity. I find this fascinating for its energy and restrained sweetness, not to mention its sexy exotic character. Finishes very long and firmly tannic but not hard. This wine is a joint venture between Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes, and one can clearly see the hand of Cheval Blanc director Pierre Lurton. May well merit an even higher score with five or six years of bottle aging.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2004 Cheval des Andes is composed of 55% Malbec, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot. Purple-colored, it offers a complex bouquet of pain grille, violets, pencil lead, black cherry, and black currant. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied, elegant wine with a smooth texture, intense flavors, and outstanding length. There is enough hidden tannin to support 8-10 years of further evolution in the bottle and it should continue to drink well through 2030. Cheval des Andes is owned by legendary St.-Emilion producer, Chateau Cheval Blanc. The wine is sourced from their 50 hectare estate vineyard planted on its own roots in 1929. The first vintage was 1999 and the 2004 was the first in which there was more Malbec than Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. New oak is utilized for the Cabernet and 1 year old barrels for the Malbec. Importer: Moet & Hennessey USA; www.mhusa.com
55% Malbec, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot – 100% in French oak for 18 months. Smoky and savoury. Rich and full bodied but still fine and refined, especially in this context of very big, dense wines. (JH)
About the producer
A collaboration between Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes, Cheval des Andes is an exciting project in the heart of Mendoza. Blending pre-phylloxera clones of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, the wines are some of Argentina’s most sought-after.
Product details
Malbec/ Auxerrois / Cot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Red
Dry