2016 cheval blanc & terrazas de los andes, cheval des andes, mendoza
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Why We're Buying
Cheval des Andes keeps getting better with time. In 2014, wine critic James Suckling gave the vintage a 95. One year later, he gave it a 98. In 2016, Cheval des Andes earned a 99-point rating, followed by a perfect score in 2017. As Suckling put it, "This is the greatest Cheval des Andes ever…. The integration of fruit, tannins and acidity is fantastic. Full-bodied, tight and solid with beautiful depth and integrity.”
Critics Scores
Decanter
An atypical vintage in Mendoza marked by El Niño. The 2016 is also made by the Cheval-Blanc team. Once again the nose suggests a northern Rhône or Syrah bouquet. Al dente raspberry, graphite, lavender and violet hints. Laser-like tannins, perfectly balanced texture, and an impressive and densely-fruited wine elevated by superb tannic structure and freshness. A vertical wine, admirably elaborated. Will age for 15 years.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I also tasted the 2015 and 2016 next to the newly released 2017 to give it some context and to see the evolution and changes implemented in the last few years. The 2016 Cheval des Andes is probably the freshest wine produced to date and the first vintage when they used 100 own grapes. Of the trio of vintages tasted together—2015, 2016 and 2017—this is the one with less alcohol and more freshness, and it remains a more austere expression, reflecting a cooler and wetter year that resulted in a less exuberant wine, a benchmark for freshness. I'm looking forward to 2018 to see where they go in the next cool vintage after this 2016. Rating: 97+
James Suckling
Super refined and beautiful with flowers, spices, dried fruit and hints of stones. Medium to full body with very fine tannins and a gorgeous finish. Shows great finesse and depth. Savory character, as always, but in check. Drink in 2022.