Château Cheval Blanc 1983

Château Cheval Blanc

This was a mostly wet year with an outstanding Indian summer. The wines are aromatic and very intense, with an impression of sweetness​.

This was a mostly wet year with an outstanding Indian summer. The wines are aromatic and very intense, with an impression of sweetness​.

Weather conditions and vine’s growing cycle

Temperatures and rainfall

On the whole, this was a very wet year, with major showers in April, May, and August.  Temperatures were low in May and very high in August. The day was saved by a beautiful month of September and dry weather in early October, accompanied by exceptionally high temperatures.

1983 : TEMPERATURES AND RAINFALL COMPARED WITH NORMAL VALUES IN SAINT-EMILION

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. Water stress was low due to regular, heavy showers.

1983 WATER BALANCE

Growing season

The wet weather in spring meant that the growing season was off to a difficult start, disturbed by the significant presence of mildew and black rot. The major precipitation in August worsened this delicate situation with an attack of grey rot. Fortunately, the vintage was saved by a wonderful Indian summer that dried out many of the patches.

Begin End
1983 harvest dates September, 29th October, 8th
Average harvest dates: 1946-2014 September, 24th October, 8th

 

Features of the vintage

Ripening and yields

Picking went on from the 29th of September to the 8th of October, a series of very hot days. A very unusual phenomenon occurred. The grapes became concentrated on the vines, with a simultaneous increase in potential alcohol and acidity. as well as a decrease in the weight of the berries due to evaporation.

1983 yield   (hl/ha) Average yield: 1946 to 2014
32.8 33.9

 

Blending

Degree of alcohol 12.5
Total acidity (g H2 S04/L) 3.23
Volatile acidity (g H2 SO4/L) 0.51
pH
Total SO2 (mg/L) 76
Reducing sugar content (g/L) 2.3
IPT (DO280)

 

Tasting

Aromatic, concentrated, and very round, 1983 Cheval Blanc is a fine success in a year that was rainy and difficult on the Right Bank, but which was saved by an exceptionally hot month of August and especially by an ideally dry September. The colour is a medium-deep brick-red with orange highlights. The nose is very powerful and intense. The first impression is of musk, forest floor, and humus. Sweet nuances of acacia blossom and beeswax appear after swirling in the glass. The wine starts out very big and round on the palate with plenty of alcohol, which gives an impression of sweetness. It is smooth and has an aftertaste of cashew nuts and aniseed. The middle palate is quite concentrated and dominated by blackcurrant flavours. The medium-long finish is a little hard and tannic, but very intense. Produced in a challenging vintage for the Right Bank, 1983 Cheval Blanc is a great success that is presently at its peak and will gain nothing by further ageing.
Tastings
15/04/2010

Aromatic, concentrated, and very round, 1983 Cheval Blanc is a fine success in a year that was rainy and difficult on the Right Bank, but which was saved by an exceptionally hot month of August and especially by an ideally dry September.

The colour is a medium-deep brick-red with orange highlights.

The nose is very powerful and intense. The first impression is of musk, forest floor, and humus. Sweet nuances of acacia blossom and beeswax appear after swirling in the glass.

The wine starts out very big and round on the palate with plenty of alcohol, which gives an impression of sweetness. It is smooth and has an aftertaste of cashew nuts and aniseed. The middle palate is quite concentrated and dominated by blackcurrant flavours. The medium-long finish is a little hard and tannic, but very intense.

Produced in a challenging vintage for the Right Bank, 1983 Cheval Blanc is a great success that is presently at its peak and will gain nothing by further ageing.