Château Cheval Blanc
1979 was a cool yet generous year. The wine is of average quality, but has aged quickly and still provides much pleasure today.
1979 was a cool yet generous year. The wine is of average quality, but has aged quickly and still provides much pleasure today.
Weather conditions and vine’s growing cycle
Temperatures and rainfall
Temperatures were lower than average all through the growing season. After a wet spring, summer and early autumn were dry. Rain returned at an above-average level starting on the 20th of October, but the year remained a moderately dry one on the whole.
Water balance
In order to grow well, the vine needs for water stress to set in slowly so the grapes to ripen well and become concentrated. This moderately dry year led to only moderate water stress however, because the cool temperatures in 1979 caused little evaporation.
Growing season
The cool temperatures also slowed down the vine’s growth cycle. Thanks to dry weather, the grapes nevertheless ripened well. Yields were high in 1979, especially Merlot. The harvest was very late: 8-18 October.
| Begin | End | |
| 1979 harvest dates | October, 8th | October, 18th |
| Average harvest dates: 1946-2014 | September, 24th | October, 8th |
Features of the vintage
Ripening and yields
| 1979 hield (hl/ha) | Average yield: 1946 to 2014 | |
| 48.8 | 33.9 | |
Blending
| Degree of alcohol | 12 |
|---|---|
| Total acidity (g H2 S04/L) | 3.04 |
| Volatile acidity (g H2 SO4/L) | 0.46 |
| pH | – |
| Total SO2 (mg/L) | 96 |
| Reducing sugar content (g/L) | 1.6 |
| IPT (DO280) | – |
Tasting