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Cheval des Andes 2022
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Description
A high-altitude blend marrying Bordeaux tradition with Mendoza’s Argentine terroir
The estate
The Cheval des Andes venture began twenty years ago, initiated by Pierre Lurton. By uniting the expertise of the iconic Château Cheval Blanc, led by Pierre Lurton, with the terroir of Las Compuertas in the Mendoza region, the idea emerged to craft one of Argentina’s greatest wines, honoring Malbec and the art of the Bordeaux blend. Today, Cheval des Andes by Cheval Blanc & Terrazas de Los Andes brilliantly embodies the ambition of the pioneers who brought it to life: to be a Grand Cru of the Andes with a singular personality.
The vineyard
The Cheval des Andes vineyard spans 46 hectares across two complementary terroirs. Located at 1,070 meters above sea level, the historic Las Compuertas vineyard lies on the left bank of the Río Mendoza. Old-vine Malbec planted in 1929 brings richness and complexity, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon. To the south, the Altamira vineyard is planted at 1,150 meters above sea level. In this cooler-climate area, 14 hectares are planted with Malbec vines dating back to 1945. Thanks to the higher altitude and significant diurnal temperature swings, the grapes develop very fine tannins along with lovely freshness and floral notes, resulting in outstanding Mendoza wines.
The vintage
The 2022 vintage featured temperatures and diurnal ranges similar to recent seasons, without climatic extremes. Rainfall was more frequent and abundant than average—374 mm in Las Compuertas and 288 mm in Paraje Altamira—concentrated between November and February through intense storms. From mid-February onward, a dry, sunny spell ensured ideal ripening, while episodes of Zonda winds around flowering caused natural shatter, slightly reducing yields.
Winemaking and aging
The manual harvest for Cheval des Andes 2022 ran from March 3 to 17, beginning with the young Malbec and finishing with the Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes, harvested in 15 kg crates and transported under refrigeration, underwent double sorting before gravity-fed vinification in 30- to 80-hectoliter tanks. Aging took place over several months in a range of vessels: 40% in 225-liter Bordeaux barrels, 35% in 400-liter barrels, and 25% in 25-hectoliter foudres, with 50% new oak sourced 85% from French cooperages and 15% from Austrian cooperages.
Grape varieties
This Cheval des Andes 2022 from Cheval Blanc & Terrazas de Los Andes is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Malbec (30%), and Petit Verdot (5%).
