1983 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion

Most wine collectors believe that 1982 Cheval Blanc is THE vintage of the 1980s for the great estate of Bordeaux’s St. Emilion, but the 1983 is very close, if not better in quality. And many people have forgotten about the wine.

I was lucky enough a couple of nights ago to drink a bottle with some friends at Island Tang in Hong Kong. My friend keeps his own cellar at the Michelin-starred Shanghai style Chinese restaurant.

The 1983 Cheval is a red that I have always appreciated. In fact, I may have scored it higher in the 1980s when I first tasted the two vintages, but that was a long time ago!

The bottle at Island Tang showed beautiful aromas of licorice, spice, flowers and dried fruits such as prunes. It was still full-bodied with soft and fine tannins and ripe fruit. 96 points. Its rich, dried fruit character was fabulous with the minced Peking Duck in lettuce leaf.

The wine is about 40 percent less expensive than the famous 1982, or about $580. Of course, it’s expensive, but it’s half the price of the 2009…