Château Cheval Blanc
1981 was a cool year in which the grapes took a long time to ripen. The wine has a certain intensity, but has aged quickly. Although still fruity and well-balanced, it should be drunk sooner rather than later.
1981 was a cool year in which the grapes took a long time to ripen. The wine has a certain intensity, but has aged quickly. Although still fruity and well-balanced, it should be drunk sooner rather than later.
Weather conditions and vine’s growing cycle
Temperatures and rainfall
The start of the growing season was wet, with many showers in May. Summer was dry, but cool, except for the month of August, which was warmer than average.
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. The 1981 weather was not very dry though, due to the small degree of evaporation. Moderate water stress arrived fairly late.
Growing season
1981 produced a small crop: just 25 hectolitres per hectare. This was a late-ripening year due to cool summer temperatures. The harvest began on the 1st of October. A beautiful Indian summer with average temperatures and little rain enabled the grapes to reach proper maturity. Picking went on from the 1st to the 9th of October.
| Begin | End | |
| 1981 harvest dates | October, 1st | October, 9th |
| Average harvest dates 1946-2014 | September, 24th | October, 8th |
Features of the vintage
Ripening and yields
| 1981 yield (hl/ha) | Average yield (1946 to 2014) | |
| 25.1 | 33.9 | |
Blending
| Degree of alcohol | 13 |
|---|---|
| Total acidity (g H2 S04/L) | 3.23 |
| Volatile acidity (g H2 SO4/L) | 0.55 |
| pH | – |
| Total SO2 (mg/L) | 88 |
| Reducing sugar content (g/L) | 1.3 |
| IPT (DO280) | – |
Tasting
Like the preceding vintage, 1981 has aged quickly, but remains fruity.
The colour is deep, but showing its age.
The nose is attractive and elegant, with fresh red fruit and eucalyptus overtones.
The wine starts out quite smooth and fresh on the palate with hints of forest floor, as well as beautiful flavours such as plum and roasted nuances. The structure lacks definition and the aftertaste shows overtones of prune and very ripe red fruit, as well as tannin that is a bit hard.
1981 Cheval Blanc is fresh and balanced, but has aged quickly. It is best to drink soon.Like the preceding vintage, 1981 has aged quickly, but remains fruity.
The colour is deep, but showing its age.
The nose is attractive and elegant, with fresh red fruit and eucalyptus overtones.
The wine starts out quite smooth and fresh on the palate with hints of forest floor, as well as beautiful flavours such as plum and roasted nuances. The structure lacks definition and the aftertaste shows overtones of prune and very ripe red fruit, as well as tannin that is a bit hard.
1981 Cheval Blanc is fresh and balanced, but has aged quickly. It is best to drink soon.