($73, Moët Hennessey USA):  The result of a joint project between Chateau Cheval Blanc in St. Emilion and Argentina’s Terrazas de los Andes, the Cheval des Andes erases any idea that Argentina cannot produce great wines.  The winemaking team led by Nicolas Audebert has put together a marvelous combination of dark fruit and mineral-like flavors all wrapped in velvety-like tannins.  It’s a blend of roughly half and half Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon although there is a small amount of the other three Bordeaux varieties, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, planted in the vineyard.  According to Audebert, the Malbec brings a plush/lush fruit character while Cabernet Sauvignon gives it structure.   It’s a wonderfully classy wine whose finely honed tannins makes it actually approachable now, especially with robust fare such as short ribs or a steak.  But it’s beautifully balanced, so I suspect it will reward cellaring and will evolve in a magnificent fashion. 95 Michael Apstein Mar 20, 2012