CHEVAL DES ANDES ‘CHEVAL BLANC & TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES’ R

Cheval des Andes ‘Cheval Blanc & Terrazas de los Andes’ is an exceptional and sophisticated red wine from Mendoza, Argentina, born from the collaboration between the renowned Château Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes. Created with the elegance and blending philosophy of Bordeaux in mind while expressing the distinctive character of high-altitude Mendoza, Cheval des Andes brings together the vibrant fruit and refined richness of Malbec with the structure and freshness of Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Petit Verdot depending on the vintage. The result is a beautifully balanced and complex Argentine red that combines power with precision, richness with freshness, and depth with remarkable elegance.

Deep ruby to garnet in color with brilliant depth, it opens with an expressive and refined bouquet of ripe black cherries, plum, blackberry, cassis, and red berries, complemented by delicate violet and floral nuances. As the wine develops in the glass, subtle aromas of cedar, tobacco, spice, vanilla, cocoa, and finely integrated oak add layers of complexity. Hints of fresh herbs, pepper, and mineral character contribute further definition, reflecting the high-altitude terroir of Mendoza and the Bordeaux-inspired style of the blend.

On the palate, Cheval des Andes is rich, elegant, and beautifully structured, revealing layers of ripe plum, black cherry, cassis, blackberry, and vibrant red fruit. The Malbec contributes generous fruit, density, and velvety texture, while Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure, freshness, tension, and subtle spicy notes. Fine-grained tannins create a polished and silky mouthfeel, supported by lively acidity that keeps the wine fresh and precise. Delicate notes of dark chocolate, tobacco, cedar, vanilla, and gentle spice emerge gradually, adding depth without overwhelming the wine’s pure fruit character. The overall impression is powerful yet refined, with excellent harmony between fruit, tannin, oak, acidity, and mineral freshness.

The finish is long, persistent, and elegant, leaving lingering impressions of dark cherry, plum, blackberry, cassis, violet, subtle spice, cedar, cocoa, and delicate mineral notes. Its combination of concentrated fruit, silky tannins, refreshing acidity, and sophisticated oak integration makes Cheval des Andes a particularly distinguished expression of Mendoza’s high-altitude terroir. Designed with elegance and ageing potential in mind, it offers both immediate pleasure and the complexity required for extended cellaring.

Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with grilled and roasted beef, premium steaks, lamb, slow-cooked meats, roasted duck, venison, hearty stews, braised beef, grilled sausages, and richly seasoned dishes. It is particularly well suited to Argentine-style grilled meats and barbecue, where its ripe fruit, structure, and freshness complement the richness and charred flavors of the food. It also pairs wonderfully with mature hard cheeses, aged Gouda, Manchego, Parmesan, and other intensely flavored cheeses.

Serving Suggestion: Best served at approximately 16–18°C. Allow the wine to breathe for 20–30 minutes before serving, or decant it when enjoying a younger vintage, to encourage its layers of dark fruit, floral aromas, spice, oak, and mineral character to fully develop. Serve in a large Bordeaux-style red wine glass to allow the wine’s aromatic complexity, silky texture, and elegant structure to shine.