Cheval des Andes is a collaboration between Château Cheval Blanc of Saint-Emilion and Terrazas de los Andes, an important Argentinian producer. The roots of the joint venture were set in the 1990s, when Pierre Lurton, president of Cheval Blanc, visited Argentina and was impressed with Terrazas de los Andes’ Las Compuertas Vineyard. The 125-acre, sandy loam vineyard is planted to Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The vines were originally planted in 1929. The debut Cheval des Andes was the 1999 vintage, and each year Cheval des Andes makes just one wine, which it describes as a “grand cru” of the Andes. The blend is generally slightly more than half Malbec, with Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of other Bordeaux grapes. Reviewers have been impressed, giving the wine ratings in the low- to mid-90s.