Terrazas de los Andes Cheval des Andes 2023 1.5Ltr Case of 3

#23 in Top 100 Wines of Argentina 2026. This vintage shows good precision as it zeroes in on balance and complexity with a Bordeaux-like sensibilty. Excellent complexity on the nose, showing currants, paprika, cedary blackberries, tobacco, grilled herbs and touches of cocoa powder and roasted sweet spices. Round and more effortless this year, with a positively fluid, precise mouth-feel, Medium body round off by silky, sweet tannins. Lightly creamy at the end but really integrated and elegant, with a long, supple finish. A blend of 57% cabernet sauvignon, 40% malbec and 3% petit verdot. Already approachable, but can hold for a decade, if not more.

As finely made as the 2021, the 2023 is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot from a massal selection taken from Bordeaux. Barrel-fermented and aged, it’s gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, exceptionally well-made and precise in its grasp of rich mouthfeel, incredible structure, and intoxicating aromatics of cedarwood, tobacco, and wildflowers. The full-bodied concentration is supple and seamless, with layers of inky blue and black fruit as well as cacao nib lending a subtle richness complemented by graphite and dried herb. This is a cru of excellence that should be in its prime 2030-2043.

A very impressive rendition of a generally warm, dry vintage, the 2023 Cheval des Andes opens with a more red-fruited, brighter character than is typical, accented by dried herb, graphite, dried mint and lifted floral tones that come to the fore with aeration. Echoing the lifted nature of the nose, the palate delivers the soft, elegantly polished profile that one can routinely expect at this address, albeit with a slightly more slender core. It concludes with a persistent finish defined by understated richness and a notably refined tannin profile, the latter of which is particularly impressive, as it is often a shortcoming of this harvest. The blend is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot.

The 2023 Cheval des Andes blends two-thirds fruit from Las Compuertas with one-third from Paraje Altamira. It was aged for 12 months in barrels and then in tank before being bottled in April 2025. Las Compuertas leads on the nose, showing cherry and fresh plum with black fruit in the background. Soft violet, balsamic herbs and blood orange add complexity to its dark profile. The palate is expansive yet lean, with a slight cling and fine tannins, but it should gain even more harmony in bottle.

There’s a sturdy, herb-and-graphite base to the anise-accented black plum and berry core, with a nudge of acidity on the firming finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 8,050 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.

COLOUR: Deep, almost black core with bright violet highlights. AROMAS: This wine opens with notes of fresh berries combined with blackcurrant and redcurrant, rose and violet, completed by hints of Asian spice such as fresh ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon. PALATE: A sensual mouthfeel with great structure supported by soft and elegant tannins and subtle freshness. The increased proportion of Malbec in the blend ensures a great balance between the Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure and Malbec’s freshness.