2012 Cheval des Andes

66% Malbec, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot. ‘More whispered [than shouted]', according to the winemaker – this is the more restrained character that they are aiming for. There is a tremendous bitter-cherry character and loads of savoury earthy notes. Excellent tannic feel – fibrous yet digestible. Absolutely no confection at all. If anything, this seems to run counter to the Mendoza norm – but is that necessarily a bad thing? (RH)

(a joint venture between Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes): Bright ruby-red. Highly complex nose and palate meld currant, plum, licorice, mocha, tobacco, wild herbs and a sexy floral element. Utterly suave and seamless blend in the style of a ripe Right Bank wine, with saline soil tones leavening the wine's sweetness of fruit. One senses the 15% alcohol on the finish of this very long, firmly tannic, classically dry wine, which needs a couple more years in the bottle to come into full focus. My sample improved dramatically over 24 hours in the recorked bottle, showing purer fruit character without any loss of energy.

66% Malbec, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot. No new oak. Not yet released. Dark crimson with a pink rim. Something savoury on the nose as opposed to the sweet notes on the 2010 and 2011. Something warm and mineral on the palate. Racy and with a dry, appetising finish. Fine, ripe tannins still present. (JR)