Château Cheval Blanc 1963

Château Cheval Blanc

A disastrous year in which no Cheval Blanc was produced. The wet, cold weather was totally uncooperative this year. The wine was poor and thin, and sold off in bulk as generic Saint Emilion.

A disastrous year in which no Cheval Blanc was produced. The wet, cold weather was totally uncooperative this year. The wine was poor and thin, and sold off in bulk as generic Saint Emilion.

Weather conditions and vine’s growing cycle

Temperatures and rainfall

Temperatures were just about normal from April to July, and the July was especially sunny. However, this was only an illusion since the following months were a disaster. August and September were cool and extremely wet, while the grapes were ripening, with precipitation respectively 95 and 115 mm more than usual!  Although October was in keeping with seasonal averages, the damage had already been done…

1963 : TEMPERATURES AND RAINFALL COMPARED WITH NORMAL VALUES IN SAINT-EMILION

Water balance

Heavy showers in June and record rainfall in August ruined any possibility of water stress – a vital factor for producing quality juice.

1963 WATER BALANCE

Growing season

Begin End
1963 harvest dates October, 1st October, 16th
Average harvest dates: 1946-2014 September, 24th October, 8th

 

Features of the vintage

Ripening and yields

The wet, cold summer weather ruined any chance of producing fine wine.  That is why it was decided not to sell any wine under the Cheval Blanc label that year.
Furthermore, yields were rather poor.  The wine was sold in bulk to négociants, who marketed it as generic Saint Emilion.

1963 yield    (hl/ha) Average yield: 1946 to 2014
32.2 33.9