Cheval des Andes 2022

A high-altitude Blend combining Bordeaux tradition and the Argentine terroir of Mendoza

The Estate

The Cheval des Andes adventure began twenty years ago at the initiative of Pierre Lurton. By combining the expertise of the iconic Château Cheval Blanc, led by Pierre Lurton, with the terroir of Las Compuertas in the Mendoza region, the idea was born to create one of Argentina’s greatest wines, paying tribute to malbec and to the art of the Bordeaux Blend. Today, Cheval des Andes from Cheval Blanc & Terrazas de Los Andes brilliantly embodies the vision of the pioneers who contributed to its creation: to be a great cru of the Andes with a unique personality.

The Vineyard

The Cheval des Andes vineyard covers 46 hectares across two complementary terroirs. Located at 1,070 metres altitude, the historic Las Compuertas vineyard sits on the left bank of the Rio Mendoza. Old malbec vines planted in 1929 contribute richness and complexity, complemented by cabernet sauvignon. To the south, the Altamira vineyard is planted at 1,150 metres altitude. In this cooler zone, 14 hectares of vines are planted with malbec vines dating from 1945. Thanks to the higher altitude and the significant diurnal temperature variations, the grapes develop very fine tannins with fresh, floral notes, giving rise to outstanding Mendoza wines.

The Vintage

The 2022 vintage is characterised by temperatures and diurnal variations similar to recent seasons, without climatic extremes. Precipitation, more frequent and abundant than average—374 mm at Las Compuertas and 288 mm at Paraje Altamira—fell mainly from November to February in the form of intense storms. From mid-February onwards, a dry and sunny period ensured ideal ripening, while Zonda wind episodes around flowering caused natural shatter, slightly reducing yields.

Winemaking and Ageing

The hand harvest for Cheval des Andes 2022 took place from 3 to 17 March, beginning with the younger malbec vines and ending with the cabernet sauvignon. The grapes, picked in 15-kg crates and transported under refrigeration, undergo double sorting before gravity-fed vinification in vats of 30 to 80 hectolitres. Ageing takes place over several months in a variety of vessels: 40 % in 225-litre Bordeaux barrels, 35 % in 400-litre barrels and 25 % in 25-hectolitre foudres, with 50 % new oak—85 % from French cooperages and 15 % from Austrian.

Grape Varieties

This Cheval des Andes 2022 by Cheval Blanc & Terrazas de Los Andes is the result of a Blend of cabernet sauvignon (65 %), malbec (30 %) and petit verdot (5 %).