Cheval des Andes - Mendoza 2020

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

[...] It is slightly more mature than the 2019, with a bit more alcohol (14.5%) and very good structural tannins while retaining its freshness, and it has the spicy character of Petit Verdot (Gabillet mentions white pepper). The wine has a very smooth and polished texture, as well as the elegance and balance that characterize it here; the wine is very clean and precise. I note a very good consistency among the three vintages I tasted side by side—this 2020 and the 2018 and 2019. Overall, this is a triumph over the unfavorable conditions of the vintage. They have produced their usual 100,000 bottles (since 2018), as they are renewing their vineyards and want to maintain a stable volume. They produce this volume from the 36 hectares of productive vineyards they own in Las Compuertas and Altamira. [...] They focus on agroecology, accelerating regenerative viticulture and using cover crops; they have planted 1,900 trees over the past three years, creating small biodiversity clusters for birds. They have planted 1,900 trees over the past three years, creating small clusters of biodiversity for birds. They have transplanted a few century-old olive trees and keep their sheep and llamas on the property. They are very environmentally conscious. 2024–2034

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

The riper, darker fruit on the nose reflects the warmer 2020 vintage. Although ripe, the wine doesn’t feel stagnant, which is a real improvement over recent years. The palate also features a velvety texture and vibrant acidity, signs of a team that has worked hard to transition from a thicker, riper style to a balanced and vibrant one. Blackcurrant and black cherry are accompanied by notes of blood orange and violet. Mineral and deep, this wine should age well in the bottle. 2024–2036

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2020 Cheval des Andes is a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot from Paraje Altamira in the Uco Valley and Las Compuertas in Luján de Cuyo. Aged in French oak barrels, it appears purple in the glass with garnet highlights. The nose reveals a judicious expression of the 2020 vintage’s warmth, with aromas of ripe plum, red currant, and mint, along with notes of white pepper on a bed of bay leaf and cedar. The palate is dry and velvety, with rich, polished tannins that deliver a juicy, balanced sensation. The balsamic notes and richness on the palate reflect the character of the vintage, while the finish is lively and persistent. 2025–2035

James Suckling

About the wine:

Ripe, cooked black cherries with spices and a hint of violets. Notes of graphite, cocoa powder, incense, and black pepper. Dried rose petals. A slightly fuller-bodied Cheval des Andes, with taut, silky tannins and a lingering, generous finish. Ripe, yet with great restraint and precision. 49% Malbec, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot. 24% of the Malbec comes from Altamira, and the rest of the fruit comes from Las Compuertas. Drink now or age.

Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux