Cheval des Andes 2009

Cheval des Andes 2009 is a full-bodied, Bordeaux-style red from Mendoza in Argentina, a collaboration between Château Cheval Blanc of Bordeaux and Terrazas de los Andes of Mendoza. The fruit comes from the Las Compuertas vineyard, planted in 1929. The 2009 is a blend of 59% Malbec, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. The nose is closed at first and needs a vigorous swirl to reveal forest floor, leather, cigar box and cured meat, with ripe black fruit. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with velvety tannins, well-integrated oak and flavours of cassis, blueberries, soil and faint violets.