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Ripe, flavoursome, well-balanced wines
Weather Conditions
Hail in the spring and again in September caused a certain amount of local damage in the Central hills of Tuscany but on the whole this was a trouble free vintage for growers with a hot, dry summer and fine weather for the harvest. The long summer produced fruit with very good concentration, particularly in areas where hail had reduced the crop in the spring.
Best Appellations
The respective merits of the 1982s and 1983s vintages were much debated among producers at the time. There was markedly differences in style between the two, the 1982s being fuller bodied, more tannic and austere while the 1983s had more fruit and elegance. Chianti Riservas had slightly lower acidity than average which brought them to relatively early maturity. The substantial, long lived wines made at Montalcino and Montepulciano were probably the pick of the DOCGs.
Best Producers
In Chianti Isola e Olena, Cafaggio, Monsanto (Il Poggio) and Badia di Coltibuono all made very successful Riservas. It was a top vintage for Monte Vertine’s Pergole Torte. Case Basse, Il Poggione, Costanti and Barbi Colombini(Vigna Fiore) were amongst the most representative Brunellos. Sassicaia was outstanding.
