CHEVAL BLANC & TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES 'Cheval des Andes' - Mendoza 2022 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
Cheval des Andes 2022 greets the senses with thrilling intensity: black cherry, wild plum, violet florals, crushed graphite and smoked herbs. Concentrated dark fruit meets laser acidity, powdery tannins and a saline, mineral finish. The mid-palate reveals dark chocolate, espresso, dried oregano and salted plum; oak is noble and integrated. Texture shifts between silk and grip, aromatics move from perfumed to savoury, and the wine balances immediate appeal with ageing potential — drink now or cellar for a decade to reveal leather, forest floor and dried herbs. Serve slightly below room temperature with roast lamb, grilled beef or mature cheeses. An electric synthesis of power and finesse. Top critic scores: Vinous 99; Decanter 98; James Suckling 98.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Cheval des Andes 2022 greets the senses with thrilling intensity, marrying Bordeaux precision to high-altitude Argentinian brightness and poise. The nose offers black cherry, wild plum, violet florals, crushed graphite and subtle smoked herbs that deepen with aeration. On the palate, concentrated dark fruit is supported by laser-like acidity, precise extraction and finely knit, powdery tannins. The mid-palate unfurls layers of dark chocolate, salted plum, dried oregano, espresso and a mineral vein that electrifies the finish. Oak is noble and integrated, offering toast, cedar and gentle vanilla without obscuring primary fruit clarity or tannic architecture.

The texture oscillates between silk and grip — supple, dense mid-palate before tannins firm towards a resonant, saline close that lingers remarkably. Aromatics evolve in the glass: initially perfumed and floral, then increasingly savoury and earthy, culminating in a profoundly persistent finish. Winemaking displays exemplary restraint, allowing vineyard expression and altitude clarity to define the wine as both refined and magnetic.

Drink now for immediate pleasure, or cellar for up to a decade to reveal tertiary notes of leather, forest floor and dried herbs. Serve slightly below room temperature with roast lamb, grilled beef, mushroom ragout or mature cheeses to showcase the savoury complexities. Despite its concentration, the wine remains lithe and energetic, driven by crystalline acidity and a nervy mineral spine.

Cheval des Andes 2022 is an electric synthesis of power and elegance — impossible to ignore yet supremely balanced. Complexity unfolds layer by layer: black fruit, graphite, spice, leather and saline mineral threads knitting into a complete tapestry. This vintage offers both instant gratification and long-term reward, delivering energy, finesse and a finish that reverberates long after the last sip. A striking expression of Franco-Argentinian collaboration.

VINOUS 99 points
A bouquet of bright fruit—raspberry, blueberry and delicate cassis—and complementary bay leaf and mint tones give way to a touch of ash and mild bell pepper. Boasting serious concentration, fine tannins and a slight creaminess, the 2022 has a structure that is firm but never tight, maintaining weight without losing balance. The finish is long, energetic and full of flavor. This is an exceptionally beautiful wine.

DECANTER 98 points
Tasted by: Georgina Hindle
Drinking Window: 2026 - 2045
Earthy, savoury nose full of wet soil, peppercorns and blackcurrants alongside violets, chocolate, cherries and raspberries. Well crafted, such a svelte and streamlined expression with real charm and finesse. There’s power for sure but it’s funnelled into one line from start to finish. I love the brightness and opulence here yet there’s super charm and precision too. Great energy, succulence and vibrancy with natural acidity creating a salivating effect that makes you want to come back for another glass. Expertly made with an accumulation of details that make it so enjoyable. The joint project of Château Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes. Winemaker Gérald Gabillet.

JAMES SUCKLING 98 points
Aromas of dark currants, spices, cloves and a touch of elderberries. The palate is elegant and medium- to full-bodied with polished, precise tannins, firm fruit, a juicy backbone and a solid and flavorful finish. 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% malbec from Lujan and Altamira. Drink from 2027.
Jacobo Garcia-Andrade Llamas
Senior Editor

JANE ANSON 98 points
"wonderful, luscious, layered and nuanced"

THE WINE ADVOCATE 97 points
Reviewed by: Matthew Luczy
Drink Date: 2027 - 2037
Soon to be released through La Place de Bordeaux, the 2022 Cheval des Andes opens with an exotic, spice-driven bouquet, supplemented by lifted herbal notes and a vibrantly red-fruited and perfumed backdrop. The palate is similarly energetic, melding an elegantly rich, polished texture with a slender, tensile energy. It concludes with a long, persistent and high-toned finish that gradually unfurls a sturdy structure of supremely refined tannins. This is an excellent counterpoint to the comparatively darker and more open-knit 2021, showcasing a brighter, more tenacious profile while sacrificing none of the grace, nuance and textural attention to detail that has come to define Cheval des Andes. It's a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot.

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5 points
Bright, dark garnet. Very fresh nose indeed – much fresher than a typical red bordeaux in fact! (But then the elevations are completely different.) With just a touch of Malbec gaminess. Luscious texture and those famous 'cashmere tannins' (copyright Pierre Lurton). Both luscious and lush-fruited, with just a little dryness on the end when tasted without food but overall this is pure pleasure for those of us who are fans of Cheval Blanc. (JR).

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ABOUT CHEVAL BLANC & TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES
Cheval Blanc
Founded in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, Château Cheval Blanc is one of the world’s most revered estates, celebrated for its elegant, perfumed blends dominated by Merlot and Cabernet Franc. With origins dating to the 19th century and international acclaim cemented in the 20th century, Cheval Blanc balances tradition and innovation: meticulous vineyard management across its famed clay-gravel soils, low yields, and careful sorting in the cellar. The estate’s flagship wine is renowned for silk-like texture, aromatic complexity (violet, dark fruit, spice), and extraordinary aging potential. Under successive visionary technical teams, Cheval Blanc has embraced precise canopy management, plot-level selection, and modern vinification techniques while preserving artisanal blending and long barrel élevage. The property’s philosophy marries respect for micro-terroir with a quest for finesse, producing wines that are both powerful and ethereal—a benchmark of Saint-Émilion’s finest.

Terrazas de los Andes
Terrazas de los Andes, established in Mendoza, Argentina, brings high-altitude viticulture to international prominence. Founded in the late 1990s as part of a tradition rooted in the region’s century-old vineyards, Terrazas focuses on elevational expression across estate vineyards in Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, some plots sitting above 1,000 meters. The winery champions Malbec while also producing elegant Torrontés, Cabernet Sauvignon, and blends. Cooling diurnal shifts, alluvial soils, and intense sunlight yield concentrated, aromatic fruit with bright acidity and polished tannins. Terrazas combines modern cellar technology with hands-on vineyard practices—block-by-block selection, controlled fermentations, and measured oak aging—to craft wines that articulate altitude, purity, and balance. Its single-vineyard and limited-production cuvées have helped define Argentinian premium wine on the global stage.

Together
Although from different hemispheres and traditions, Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes share a singular pursuit: expressing their unique terroirs through precise viticulture and thoughtful winemaking, producing wines that embody place, elegance, and longevity.