1984 Bordeaux

A warm, sunny April meant the vines got off to a vigorous start in 1984, only to hit a brick wall thanks to a cool, damp May. Consequently, coulure (mis-flowering) significantly impacted the Merlot, equating to a small crop of this variety this year. Therefore, yields were minimal on the right bank in 1984, and some of the top names on that side of the estuary made nothing under their grand vin label.

For the Cabernets, the harvest period was a bumpy ride that included a cyclone. The weather cleared up in early October, but the Cabernet tannins fell short of ripeness, and there wasn’t much chance of blending in some plush Merlot to fix the problem.

Sauternes was cursed this year by the late September rains (and cyclone). It was a late, sodden, dreary harvest with scant viable botrytis.

Today, the wines of 1984 are not worth seeking out unless one happens upon a cheap deal on a top Médoc chateau, which won’t be a life-changer but could prove interesting.