Cheval des Andes 2019

Professional Ratings

• 98 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  The 2019 Cheval des Andes has 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, which 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 suggestions 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. Best after 2023.

• 97 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.

• 93 Wine Spectator

  A bold and structured red, with aromas of smoke and graphite leading to rich, concentrated tiers of blackberry, cassis and plum. Beneath the muscle is ample fresh acidity, carrying abundant violet and spice nuances toward the lengthy finish, which reveals fine tannins. Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.