Cheval des Andes - MV - Vertical Vinatge 3-pack (2011, 2012, 2013) - 1.5 L

The 2011 Cheval des Andes is at the same time riper but also has higher acidity than 2010 and is a slightly more powerful version of 2010. The palate has very good volume while keeping the freshness. They also reduced the toast from the barrels and improved the quality of the barrels they use (45% new oak was used in 2011). The final blend of 2011 was 71% Malbec, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot. There is red and black fruit plus minty notes on the nose. The palate has density, acidity and good fruit sweetness (but not sweet). The acidity is very precise, the tannins are ripe and sweet, it seems to have the ingredients for a long and nice aging in the bottle. It had the best palate of the trio of vintages I tasted together, 2010, 2011 and 2012. 2011 was a short vintage, so there are no rules. They selected the grapes and whatever volume they produce that's what it is. In this vintage, they finally bottled 45,000 bottles. It's not easy to decide between 2010 and 2011, as both are great vintages. 2012 was a warmer vintage but they harvested earlier to preserve freshness. The 2012 Cheval des Andes has more floral notes (that they attribute to the early picking) violets and lilies. While the blackberries and blackcurrants are there, they do not overpower the nose. In this vintage the final blend (which changes every year, they have no rules) was 64% Malbec, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon (a higher percentage to provide freshness in this warmer vintage) and then 8% Petit Verdot. This is a hedonistic Cheval showing the character of the vintage but with better balance and more integrated oak than in the earlier releases. They reduced the percentage of new oak to 30% and also started experimenting with some 500-liter barrels that were widely used in 2014, and the aging was longer at 14 months. The palate is powerful, and to drink at around 15 C. It gets more depth and nuanced with time in the glass. Even if young, this is polished and can be drunk starting now. At Cheval des Andes they consider 2013 as a warm vintage, because even if the winter saw average temperatures, the spring and summer were warmer than normal. The 2013 Cheval des Andes came up to 67% Malbec, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petit Verdot mostly from their vineyards at Las Compuertas at some 1,1000 meters altitude and some fruit from their 15 hectares at La Consulta in the Valle de Uco, that they use when they don't find it too ripe. Even if they tend to pick early, the bottled wine is a ripe and heady blend hitting the scale at 15% alcohol fermented relatively warm (28 degrees Celsius) for some 25 days.

James Suckling: 97, 98

2012 has Fabulous aromas of blackberry, spice and flower. Perfumed. Lavender, rose and lilac too. A wine that grows on the palate with extreme finesse and complexity that shows ultra-fine tannins, currants, and flowers. Super length. Mostly mablec with cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Best Cheval des Andes ever? Drink or hold. The 2013 purity of fruit is so impressive here with flowers, dark fruit, and strawberries. Full body, ultra-fine tannins, and a focus and beauty that makes you think. So long and elegant. 67% malbec, 25% cabernet sauvignon and 8% petit verdot.