The 2021 Cheval des Andes is a proprietary blend from Mendoza, Argentina, composed of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot. This red wine has garnered significant praise from a variety of professional reviewers, all awarding it high scores and noting its exceptional qualities.
The Wine Independent's Lisa Perrotti-Brown awarded the wine 97 points, praising its elegance and fragrance. She noted the wine's closed nose at first, which opens up to floral notes of violets and iris bulb, followed by ripe blueberries, cassis, and red currant preserves, with hints of tar and anise. Perrotti-Brown emphasized the wine's bright and pure palate, velvety texture, and lingering aniseed finish, calling it a "graceful beauty" that embraces the cooler vintage. She recommends cellaring it for 3-5 years and enjoying it over the next two decades.
Matthew Luczy of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also rated the wine 97 points, describing it as "seductive and savory" with pure aromas of pipe tobacco, turned soil, dried herbs, and rich dark fruits. Luczy highlighted the wine's supple, layered palate, harmonious finish, and persistent tannins. He mentioned that the blend spent 12-13 months in a mix of barrique, demi-muid, and foudre, which contributed to its depth and intensity.
Vinous' Joaquín Hidalgo echoed these sentiments, giving the wine another 97 points. He appreciated its light and elegant nature, noting fresh cherry and plum, menthol, maraschino cherries, and pepper as it breathes. He remarked on its Bordeaux-inspired style with Mendoza terroir, calling it a "polished red in the early stages of a long, balanced life."
Jane Anson from janeanson.com also rated the wine 97 points, commending its luscious, layered, and nuanced profile with notes of nutmeg spice, blueberry, and damson fruits. She highlighted its mouthwatering finish and deftly-handled freshness.
Jeb Dunnuck gave the highest score of 98 points, calling the 2021 vintage the finest he has tasted. He noted its Bordeaux-like nose, ripe currants, leafy tobacco, and cedarwood, with a layered, seamless mouthfeel and a great finish. Dunnuck praised its remarkable sense of purity and class, predicting it will evolve gracefully over two decades.
Finally, James Suckling also awarded the wine 98 points, noting its complex aromas of blueberries, pie crust, fresh flowers, and currant bush, with hints of baking spices. He described its extremely fine tannins and graceful, refined character, recommending to try it after 2027 but acknowledging its current appeal.
Overall, the 2021 Cheval des Andes is a highly acclaimed wine that promises elegance, complexity, and longevity.