Château Cheval Blanc, one of Saint-Émilion’s most legendary estates and ranked Premier Grand Cru Classé A, is celebrated for producing some of Bordeaux’s most seductive and perfumed wines. With its unique high proportion of Cabernet Franc and gravel-clay terroir, Cheval Blanc crafts wines that are simultaneously powerful, aromatic, and silky. The 1983 vintage highlights the estate’s ability to deliver grace and complexity even in a year of stylistic variation.
Vineyard
The estate’s vineyards lie on the border of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, planted on an exceptional mosaic of gravel, clay, and sand. Old-vine Cabernet Franc is the defining element, contributing exotic aromatics, freshness, and delicate structure, while Merlot adds suppleness and depth. Strict selection ensures purity and finesse, even in more challenging seasons.
Vintage
1983 was a warm, variable vintage in Bordeaux. While the Left Bank showed mixed results, Right Bank estates with strong Cabernet Franc, such as Cheval Blanc, excelled. Thanks to its distinctive terroir and meticulous winemaking, Cheval Blanc produced a wine of elegance, aromatic complexity, and impressive longevity.
Tasting Notes
The 1983 Château Cheval Blanc reveals a mature garnet hue with amber highlights. The bouquet is captivating: redcurrant, dried cherry, violets, cedar, tobacco leaf, truffle, and subtle cocoa. The palate is medium-bodied, silky, and beautifully resolved — offering refined red fruit, savoury earth, and lifted herbal notes. Fine, mellow tannins and vibrant acidity extend into a long, graceful, perfumed finish. A charming, fully evolved Cheval Blanc of exceptional aromatic beauty.
Critics’ Acclaim
Admired for elegance, perfume, and mature complexity
Recognised as one of the Right Bank successes of the 1983 vintage
Technical Information
Region: Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Classification: Premier Grand Cru Classé A
Blend: Merlot & Cabernet Franc (Cabernet Franc-dominant profile)
Alcohol: ~12.5%
Drinking Window: Now–2050
A Collectible Gem
The 1983 Château Cheval Blanc is a refined, beautifully aromatic mature Bordeaux — silky, perfumed, and exquisitely balanced. A superb choice for collectors seeking a historic, fully evolved Cheval Blanc with remarkable charm and elegance.
