Château Cheval Blanc

1972 was marked by cool temperatures and record rainfall in August. Despite the very late harvest, the wines were much criticised in their youth. However, this Cheval Blanc has aged admirably and is a very pleasant surprise after more than 40 years in bottle​.

1972 was marked by cool temperatures and record rainfall in August. Despite the very late harvest, the wines were much criticised in their youth. However, this Cheval Blanc has aged admirably and is a very pleasant surprise after more than 40 years in bottle​.

Conditions climatiques

Conditions climatiques

Températures et précipitations

The weather at the beginning of the growth cycle was cool and fairly wet. June and July were especially dry, as was September, although temperatures were much higher than average from April to September.  The month of August was wet, with 187 mm of rain, i.e. 123 mm above average… The low precipitation in September and October fortunately made it possible to harvest under good conditions.

1972 : TEMPERATURES AND RAINFALL COMPARED WITH NORMAL VALUES IN SAINT-EMILION

Régime hydrique

n order to grow well, the vine needs for water stress to set in slowly so the grapes to ripen well and become concentrated. The water balance shows that water stress started in July. Unfortunately, and despite the fact that a water deficit did gradually set in, this effect was countered by heavy showers in mid-August

1972 WATER BALANCE

Cycle de la vigne

The cool weather all year long considerably delayed phenolic maturity and ripeness in the grapes. The harvest was exceptionally late. Yields were extremely low: just 17 hectolitres per hectare.

Begin End
1972 harvest dates October, 12th October, 21st
Average harvest dates: 1946-2014 September, 24th October, 8th

 

Particularité du millésime

Particularité du millésime

Maturité des raisins et rendement

1972 yield    (hl/ha) Average yield (1946 to 2014)
16.9 33.9

 

 

Assemblage

Degree of alcohol 12
Total acidity (g H2 S04/L) 3.34
Volatile acidity (g H2 SO4/L) 0.53
pH 3.57
Free SO2 (mg/L)
Reducing sugar content (g/L) 1.24
IPT (DO280) 50

 

La dégustation

Le premier nez, légèrement végétal, s’ouvre sur des arômes de fruits rouge frais comme la groseille et la myrtille. Le nez reste un peu fumé, sur des arômes de foin et de tabac. L’attaque est souple et fraîche. Le milieu de bouche frais et léger aboutit à une finale où les tanins restent un peu rigides.
Cheval Blanc 1972 est un millésime qui a vieilli admirablement, confirmant le fait qu’il est difficile de prévoir la qualité d’un grand vin de garde dès ses premières années. Une très agréable surprise qui offre aujourd’hui un vin émouvant et de bonne qualité après plus de quarante ans de garde.
Les degustations
07/07/2015

Le premier nez, légèrement végétal, s’ouvre sur des arômes de fruits rouge frais comme la groseille et la myrtille. Le nez reste un peu fumé, sur des arômes de foin et de tabac.

L’attaque est souple et fraîche. Le milieu de bouche frais et léger aboutit à une finale où les tanins restent un peu rigides.

12/01/2015

Cheval Blanc 1972 est un millésime qui a vieilli admirablement, confirmant le fait qu’il est difficile de prévoir la qualité d’un grand vin de garde dès ses premières années. Une très agréable surprise qui offre aujourd’hui un vin émouvant et de bonne qualité après plus de quarante ans de garde.