Cheval des Andes is a special project: the only joint venture outside of France by Chateau Cheval Blanc, the St.-Emilion superstar. It all started when Pierre Lurton, director of Cheval Blanc, visited Argentina and tasted the Malbec from the Las Compuertas vineyard at 3600 feet. Malbec had been part of the Bordeaux blend in the 19th century, but was never replanted after the phylloxera epidemic. Lurton perceived that it had taken root and flourished in Argentina in ways he would not have thought possible. Lurton was intrigued, and his enthusiasm morphed into Cheval des Andes: a wine with the pedigree and DNA of Bordeaux and the earthiness of Mendoza. I recently caught up with winemaker Lorenzo Pasquini, tasted his recent vintages, and got his take on the state of Malbec in Argentina.

In the wider world, last week’s events were truly stranger than fiction. It started with Mario Batali issuing an apology for his history of sexual harassment, and concluding with a recipe for cinnamon rolls. On top of that, the North Korean soldier who defected and got shot numerous times was awarded a lifetime supply of Choco Pies, and beauty salons are now using mulled wine as a hair coloring. What’s next?

Here are last week’s posts: Cheval des Andes

Glass Half Full: 12/22/2017