Terrazas de los Andes Cheval des Andes 2009 750ml

Bright, saturated medium ruby. Black fruits, tobacco, licorice, wild herbs and an intriguing balsamic note on the nose; as much Bordeaux Right Bank as Argentina in style. Plush, concentrated and sweet; full without any heaviness. Utterly seamless flavors of dark berries, herbs, flowers and earth, plus hints of dried fruits. Really urgent, dense fruit here, with terrific definition and energy. Finishes with noble tannins and outstanding rising length. A fully ripe, outstanding vintage for this consistently excellent bottling.

The 2009 Cheval des Andes is a blend produced with grapes grown in Las Compuertas, in Lujan de Cuyo, from vineyards planted in 1929. It is a big, ripe blend of 59% Malbec, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot which is very deep purple-colored, with a bright rim and an opaque center. The nose is completely closed and ungiving, so you need to exercise your wrist and swirl your glass around energetically and you’ll get rewarded with subtle and complex notes of forest floor, leather, cigar box, and cured meat, but especially shiny, perfectly ripe black fruit aromas. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with velvety tannins, superb integration of the oak and focused flavors of cassis, blueberries, soil and faint violets. Great in a slightly international style, a little ripe. A big, ripe Argentine Cheval. Drink 2015-2022.

This ripe, structured red mixes notes of dark cassis, plum puree, licorice and maduro tobacco. Tight now, but should open in a year or two. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Best from 2015 through 2020.

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.