Cheval des Andes 2023

Wineadvocate

A very impressive rendition of a generally warm, dry vintage, the 2023 Cheval des Andes opens with a more red-fruited, brighter character than is typical, accented by dried herb, graphite, dried mint and lifted floral tones that come to the fore with aeration. Echoing the lifted nature of the nose, the palate delivers the soft, elegantly polished profile that one can routinely expect at this address, albeit with a slightly more slender core. It concludes with a persistent finish defined by understated richness and a notably refined tannin profile, the latter of which is particularly impressive, as it is often a shortcoming of this harvest. The blend is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot.

Dunnuck

As finely made as the 2021, the 2023 is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot from a massal selection taken from Bordeaux. Barrel-fermented and aged, it’s gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, exceptionally well-made and precise in its grasp of rich mouthfeel, incredible structure, and intoxicating aromatics of cedarwood, tobacco, and wildflowers. The full-bodied concentration is supple and seamless, with layers of inky blue and black fruit as well as cacao nib lending a subtle richness complemented by graphite and dried herb. This is a cru of excellence that should be in its prime 2030-2043.