This will be a night to remember with our special guest Nicolas Auderbert the winemaker for one of Argentina's most prestigious wineries, Cheval des Andes. This joint venture between Bordeaux's Chateau Cheval Blanc and Terrasaz de los Andes is one of the most exciting new wineries to come out of Mendoza in the 1990's and they now have over 10 vintages under their belt, the style of wine has been defined with a decade of excellent wines and they now have something to talk about.
Join us for a vertical selection of their top wine along with dinner at one of South Florida's premier steak houses for about the cost of a single bottle of this top level Bordeaux inspired blend. The cost of this dinner is $125 + Tax + Gratuity, for reservations call 954-523-9463.
Winemaker Dinner at Bourbon Steak with Special Guest Nicolas Auderbert from Cheval des AndesThursday, August 22nd7pm
Reception
Duck Fat Fries and assorted dips
Dom Perignon Champagne Brut 2003 Price: $202.50 Sale $178.20 6 Pack $1033
(94 points) Unfortunately there is only one new release from Dom Perignon this year. The 2003 is one of the most unusual Dom Perignons I have ever tasted, going back to 1952. Readers will remember that 2003 was a torrid vintage across northern Europe, especially during the critical month of August, when temperatures remained very hot for well over a month. The harvest was the earliest on record, until 2011, that is. I suppose its not that surprising Chef de Caves Richard Geoffroy chose to make a 2003 Dom Perignon, given his penchant for risk-taking, an approach that has yielded so many memorable wines that stretch the perception of what big brand Champagne is and can be. The 2003 Dom Perignon is a big, broad shouldered wine. It does not have the seductiveness of the 2000, nor the power of the 2002. It is instead very much its own wine. In 2003 Geoffroy elected to use more Pinot Noir than is typically the case, and that comes through in the wine’s breath and volume. The 2003 is a big, powerful Champagne that will require quite a bit of time to shed some of its baby fat. The trademark textural finesse is there, though. I expect the 2003 to be a highly divisive Champagne because of its extreme personality, but then again, many of the world’s legendary wines were made from vintages considered freakish at the time. The 2003 is an atypically, rich, powerful, vinous Dom Perignon loaded with fruit, structure and personality. It is not for the timid... Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (11/ 2011)
First Course
* Beef Tartar* Crispy Duck Confit salad w/Meyer lemon and Washington cherries* Ahi Tuna Poke w/compressed watermelon and Togarashi* Black Olive Caesar
Terrazas Torrontes Reserva Cafayate Terrace Salta 2011Price: $22.50
Main Course Ordered Tableside Choice Of:
* Short rib* Filet* Herb-roasted chicken* Scottish salmon
Sides (totaling 1-per person)
* Roasted Mushrooms Fines Herbs* Truffled Mac n Cheese* Garlic Mashed Potatoes* Grilled Sweet Vidalia Onions
Cheval des Andes Vertical
Cheval des Andes 2004 Served from Magnum
(93 Points) The 2004 Cheval des Andes is composed of 55% Malbec, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot. Purple-colored, it offers a complex bouquet of pain grille, violets, pencil lead, black cherry, and black currant. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied, elegant wine with a smooth texture, intense flavors, and outstanding length. There is enough hidden tannin to support 8-10 years of further evolution in the bottle and it should continue to drink well through 2030.
Cheval des Andes is owned by legendary St.-Emilion producer, Chateau Cheval Blanc. The wine is sourced from their 50 hectare estate vineyard planted on its own roots in 1929. The first vintage was 1999 and the 2004 was the first in which there was more Malbec than Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. New oak is utilized for the Cabernet and 1 year old barrels for the Malbec. Wine Advocate #174, Dec 2007
Cheval des Andes 2005 Served from Magnum
(94 Points) The 2005 Cheval des Andes is made up of 60% Malbec, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot. Purple-colored, it exhibits a complex bouquet of wood smoke, scorched earth, violets, black cherry, and blackberry liqueur. On the palate it is remarkably elegant with a velvety texture, superb depth, savory flavors, ripe tannin, and 5-7 years of aging potential. Its drinking window will begin in 2014 and last through 2030 at the least. Wine Advocate #180, Dec 2008
Cheval des Andes 2007 Served from Magnum
(91 Points) The 2007 Cheval des Andes is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Malbec, 4% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot that is aged for 18 months in oak. Tasted on two occasions, it was unexpectedly bashful and unresponsive on first acquaintance. The second meeting was more promising. It offers a ripe bouquet of raspberry coulis, strawberry, vanilla and cedar, augmented by cigar box with a little aeration. It is well-defined, and the oak is neatly folded into the fruit. The palate is fleshy in the mouth, to the point where you would think it was more Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon. It is nicely balanced, although I searched for more backbone and structure, especially on the finish, which is delineated but laconic. It is undoubtedly a very pleasurable wine, but I feel it could give so much more. Drink now-2017.
I spent a couple of hours visiting Terrazas de los Andes in Lujan de Cuyo. Its origins can be traced as far back as the 1950s, when Moet Chandon dispatched oenologist Renaud Poirer to Latin America. They soon established a reputation for their sparkling wines, although it was not until 1999 that they set up the winery. They have become well-known for their joint venture with Cheval Blanc, -Cheval des Andes,- which demonstrates how highly the most eminent properties in Bordeaux regard Mendoza and its potential. Wine Advocate #203, Oct 2012
DessertBanana Tart de Tatin
Hennessy XO CognacThe 100 eaux-de-vie assembled to create X.O were aged for a long time – some for 30 years – to give an unparalleled robustness. Maurice Hennessy gave the name X.O to this unique “extra old” cognac.
Dinner is $125 + Tax + Gratuity, for reservations call 954-523-9463.
Cheval des Andes is the first fusion of the Premier Grand Cru Classé A of Saint-Emilion - Cheval Blanc, with its savoir-faire, and Terrazas de los Andes, with the best Argentine high-altitude terroir, and its expertise in producing Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The philosophy of successive harvests directly addresses the synergy born as a driving idea to bring together in one single wine: the French art of assemblage, and the creative innovation of the new world.
Cheval des Andes is located in Las Compuertas district, one of the most prestigious and recognized region of Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza.
Our 50-hectare vineyard preserves an exceptional terroir thanks to soil and climate conditions, the vegetal material and the cultural practices that are daily carried out with dedication and great efforts. The soil is sandy-loam with stone content at the depth and good drainage which encourages deep root growth and ensures greater balance, durability and the finest expression. On the other hand, the climate of this Grand Cru is moderate, with an excellent temperature range.
All these factors are essential to make Cheval des Andes the most expressive and refined Grand Cru of the Andes.
The Wine
A meticulous winemaking process
Cheval des Andes production follows only one purpose: to make the Grand Cru de los Andes, with all the passion and dedication that come from its French-Argentine roots. Cheval des Andes is "the perfect assemblage reborn".
1. The different varieties are hand-harvested. 2. Bunches and berries are thoroughly selected at the winery. 3. Varietals undergo 18 months of ageing in French oak barrels. 4. Assemblage definition and elaboration: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. 5. Final blend is aged in new French oak barrels during 6 more months. 6. Bottling and extended bottle ageing for at least 18 months.
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