Argentina's Grand Cru
Cheval des Andes, the ‘Grand Cru’ of the Andes, is the fruit of a fusion between two cultures combining the vision and expertise of Château Cheval Blanc with high altitude wine-growing in the Mendoza region. Under challenging climatic conditions, this is where Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot unite in a blend which is born at the foot of the Andes mountain range.
The story of Cheval des Andes began exactly twenty years ago.
At its origin is the Argentine winery, Terrazas de los Andes, one of the pioneers in wine growing in Mendoza. Pierre Lurton, General Manager at Cheval Blanc, studied the “terroirs” of Las Compuertas with Roberto de la Mota and had the ingenious idea of blending the expertise of Cheval Blanc with the purest, original expression of Malbec, king of the argentine grape varieties.
Herein lie the beginnings of this unique and original approach.
Conceived in 1999, Cheval des Andes has inherited 200 years of expertise in the art of blending from Cheval Blanc. Without a doubt, this vision of wine growing is completely unusual as it combines two very different “terroirs” coupled with two legendary grape varieties and a desire to create complexity out of diversity.
Today, the vision of committed viticulturists has been achieved through twenty years of daily care in these unique vineyards which now produce a genuine “grand cru” of the Andes.
Time is an ally for a great wine allowing it to become refined and reach perfection whilst still remaining proud of its roots. As the vision is accomplished, the edges are polished; freshness, balance and complexity become the cornerstones of Cheval des Andes. Its style becomes elegant, blending is perfected and the wine promises to age well.
Mountain Terroirs
Born from dual origins in France and Argentina, Cheval des Andes is also a product of the two vineyards which make up the domain. The altitude, topography and soils composed from the erosion of the Andes mountains are very different. These lend the wine complexity which is its hallmark. A single wine is produced from two unusual and exceptional "terroirs" stretching over 46 hectares. The result is uniqueness and complexity.
The vineyards in Las Compuertas are the historical site for Cheval des Andes.
At 1,070 metres above sea level, this is the highest vineyard on the right bank of the Mendoza river in the province of Luján de Cuyo.
Old vine Malbec planted on its own roots in 1929 flourishes here and produces complex, expressive and soft wines. After a while, Cabernet Sauvignon was planted and irrigated using the precise method of drip irrigation. This is a 32-hectare vineyard with a uniquely dry climate (an average of 200mm per annum). Thanks to the altitude, the weather is cooler with significant diurnal variation. The deep alluvial-loam soils are made up largely of limestone (48%), sand (36%) and clay (16%).
Further towards the south in La Consulta in the Uco Valley perches the Altamira vineyard at 1,150 metres above sea level. Here the climate is cooler and 14 hectares complete the mosaic of the Cheval des Andes “terroirs”. This is composed mainly of Malbec planted in 1945.
The thermal amplitude is wider here than in the North.
These vineyards produce grapes with good quality tannins, more freshness and floral notes. The alluvial soils are composed of sand (60%), limestone (30%) and clay (10%).
The composition of the soil favours natural drainage which is beneficial to the vines.
Last Vintages
Cheval des Andes 2021
48% Malbec, 49% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot
Cheval des Andes 2020
49% Malbec, 49% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot
Cheval des Andes 2019
50% Malbec, 50% Cabernet-Sauvignon
Cheval des Andes 2018
70% Malbec, 30% Cabernet-Sauvignon
Cheval des Andes 2017
62% Malbec, 38% Cabernet-Sauvignon
Cheval des Andes 2016
58% Malbec, 37% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot
Cheval des Andes 2015
69% Malbec, 31% Cabernet-Sauvignon
Cheval des Andes 2014
83% Malbec, 8% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot
Cheval des Andes 2013
67% Malbec, 25% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot
Cheval des Andes 2012
66% Malbec, 26% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot
