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Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
Whether by design or by pure chance, there are in the world exceptional places. Cheval Blanc is one of these. Combining a unique soil with a symbiotic mix of grape varieties, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, Cheval Blanc produces a wine, which has the rare quality of being good at any age. It is without doubt one of the most consistent wines in the world. Cheval Blanc's unique identity is due to its varied soils, early-ripening microclimate, the percentage of Cabernet Franc in the vineyard, and the close proximity of the finest wines of Pomerol.
Château Cheval Blanc has the rare ability to be good at whatever age. It is enjoyable young or as much as a century old in certain vintages. However, a great wine only reveals its full potential and all its subtle nuances after several years in bottle. It takes time to show its true colours and before reaching its peak. Every vintage of Cheval Blanc is made according to the traditional philosophy that great wine needs to age.
It should nevertheless be said that wines with ageing potential go through several periods, and that each one has its own type of attractiveness. This is all part of Château Cheval Blanc's fascinating complexity. Three different bottles of Cheval Blanc from the same vintage drunk at five, twenty, and forty years of age will each show a different facet of the same wine, variations on the same lovely theme. A bottle of fine wine meant to age is like a library of flavours that develop throughout its existence.
Wine is a "cultural" beverage that is very much alive and develops countless nuances over time. That is why this long waiting period needs to be respected. It is crucial to the wine's evolution, so that it can deliver its very best.
Wine Information
1983 IS A RAINY YEAR MARKED
BY AN EXCEPTIONAL LATE SEASON
THAT HELPS THE VINTAGE
As far as weather is concerned, 1983 was nothing like the previous year.
Rainfall was very high on the whole, especially in April, May and August.
The region also saw widely varying temperatures – too low in May and too high in
August. The late summer finally reconciled man and nature, and September was superb while October was dry and exceptionally warm. The grapes were picked from 29th September to 8th October in very hot conditions.
As a result of all this, the vines got off to a particularly difficult start, with severe
attacks of downy mildew and black rot. The heavy rain in August only added to this
already awkward situation with outbreaks of botrytis emerging in places.
Luckily, the splendid weather in late summer dried the grapes out. Exceptionally
for the Bordeaux region, harvesting saw some concentration phenomena occurring with
a simultaneous increase in potential alcohol and acidity as some of the water evaporated.
A lovely dark, deep tile-red colour. The bouquet makes a powerful initial impression,
revealing intense meat and animal hints leading into underwood and humus aromas.
When the wine is swirled around the glass, sweet acacia blossom scents emerge,along with beeswax, plum, crystallised orange and cedar wood. The attack on the palate is full and very rounded, supported by the alcohol content giving a certain impression of mildness to this very smooth wine. There are hints of cashew nut and aniseed in the finish, which is tannic and of medium length.
Vuosikerta 1983
Bordeaux / If 1981 was forgotten after 1982, the 1983 was completely eclipsed by 1982, although the harvest was large and of high quality throughout Bordeaux. Too much humidity caused by heavy rains hampered production in many places. At Margaux, some wines were even better than 1982. For example, Château Margaux announced that their 1983 surpassed the 1982. One of the best Palmers of all time was Palmer 1983.
The best wine of the vintage, however, was Le Pin – without a doubt. It’s a real bargain, not only for the quality, but also for the price at 1 550 euros per bottle, compared to Le Pin 1982 at 6,500 euros in 2020. Cheval Blanc has also done fabulously. Yquem began a new climb this year. Graves was hit by a hailstorm which resulted in a small and virtually non-existent harvest.
