Cheval Blanc & Terrazas de Los Andes
History and Background
Cheval des Andes, a collaboration between Château Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de Los Andes, was established in the early 2000s in Mendoza, Argentina. The estate combines French winemaking expertise with Argentine terroir, producing elegant and complex wines. Cheval des Andes' commitment to quality and innovation has quickly earned it a prestigious reputation in the world of fine wine.
Vineyards and Terroir
The joint venture vineyards of Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de Los Andes are located in the Mendoza region of Argentina, benefiting from the region's high-altitude conditions:
Soil Composition: The soils are a mix of alluvial deposits, clay, and sand, providing excellent drainage and enhancing the complexity of the wines.
Grape Varieties: The estate primarily grows Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, producing wines that reflect the elegance and depth of Mendoza's unique terroir.
Wine Style and Production
- Key Characteristics: Cheval Blanc & Terrazas de Los Andes's wines are known for their elegance and complexity, with flavors of blackcurrant, plum, and spice, and notes of tobacco and cedar. The high tannin content adds freshness, firm tannins, and excellent aging potential.
- Winemaking Philosophy: The estate focuses on expressing its unique terroir through a blend of tradition and innovation. Sustainable and organic practices are key, with precise vineyard management, including hand-harvesting and green harvesting, to ensure optimal grape quality.
- Influence on Style and Quality: Meticulous vineyard and production techniques result in powerful yet refined wines. The distinctive use of tannin provides freshness and structure, while aging in French oak enhances complexity. This commitment to quality produces wines celebrated for their elegance, depth, and longevity.
Reputation
Cheval Blanc:
Cheval Blanc, a highly esteemed winery in the Bordeaux region of France, is renowned for its history of producing exceptional wines. Established in 1832, this Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) estate, located in Saint-Émilion, stands out for its unique terroir with an unusual composition of gravel and clay. This composition particularly suits the growth of both Merlot and Cabernet Franc, which is rather atypical for the Bordeaux area where Cabernet Sauvignon often predominates. Cheval Blanc’s reputation for quality stems from its ability to produce wines that consistently exude complexity and have robust aging potential, making them some of the most sought after and expensive wines globally. Their approach blends tradition with innovation, reflected in their meticulous vineyard management and precision in winemaking.
Terrazas de Los Andes:
Terrazas de Los Andes is a prominent wine producer in Argentina, nestled in the Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley areas of Mendoza, an acclaimed region for grape cultivation due to its high altitude and semi-arid climate. Founded relatively recently in 1996 as a part of the Moët Hennessy Wine Estates, the winery has quickly gained prominence, especially for its Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyards are located at various altitudes, each specifically chosen to optimize the ripeness and flavor profile of their grapes. This aspect of varying altitude is particularly distinctive, providing each varietal the ideal growing conditions. Their high-altitude vineyards lend a unique character to the wine, characterized by intense flavors and robust tannins, contributing significantly to its prestige in the international wine market. Terrazas de Los Andes is also recognized for its commitment to sustainable farming practices.
Final Thoughts
Cheval Blanc & Terrazas de Los Andes, a distinguished collaboration between an iconic Bordeaux estate and a renowned Argentine winery, exemplifies a harmonious blend of Old World tradition and New World innovation. Cheval Blanc brings its deep roots in producing some of the world's most prestigious wines, while Terrazas de Los Andes contributes its expertise in cultivating high-altitude varietals in the Andes, resulting in the creation of the exceptional Cheval des Andes. This venture stands out for its successful fusion of the finesse of Saint-Émilion with the bold intensities of Mendoza, showcasing an ambitious cross-continental partnership. Their joint effort not only merges diverse terroirs and winemaking philosophies but also consistently yields wines that are celebrated for their complexity and depth, marking them as leaders in both the luxury wine market and in international winemaking innovation.