The 1984 vintage.

by Julie Berteloot 10 March 2024

10 March 2024 12.2K views

The 1984 vintage was mediocre in almost all regions due to very poor weather conditions. The great chateaux and estates still managed to produce some fine bottles.

Bordeaux: A small vintage.

The 1984 vintage is small in Bordeaux. Torrential rains and cyclone Hortense are the cause of destroyed harvests and therefore the inability to harvest the Merlot. The wines are hard, green and mostly aged. Even Petrus only produced 20% of his usual harvest. The large châteaux still produced beautiful bottles due to the geographical position of the vines. White wines are bad, acidic, light and faded. For the Sauternes appellation, the wines are rather successful and pleasant, notably Château d’Yquem.

Bottles to taste:

Burgundy: A failed vintage

In Burgundy, the vineyards were not spared from the rains and the cold. Red wines are mediocre, unbalanced and moderately good. Large estates like Domaine de la Romanée Conti have really stood out through their know-how. As for white wines, the wines are outdated, it is even better to turn to a red.

The domaine to rediscover:

Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1984

Rhône Valley: The vintage of Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The climatic conditions are also difficult, rain and cold have taken over the work in the vineyards. The harvest is very small, only the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation was able to do well with the quality of their wines.

Not to be missed:

Châteauneuf du Pape 1984

Champagne: Rot ruins the grapes

Champagnes from 1984 should be avoided for the most part, because the grapes have been devastated by rot. However, thanks to its blending principle, Champagne will still be able to offer bottles of honorable quality.

To conclude, the 1984 vintage was a difficult vintage due to disastrous climatic conditions. The Loire shines with its whites and the Rhône Valley with the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation. Only large estates like Domaine de la Romanée Conti, in Burgundy, or Château Mouton Rothschild, for Bordeaux, offered beautiful and good bottles.

The 1984 vintage.

Bordeaux: A small vintage.

Burgundy: A failed vintage

Rhône Valley: The vintage of Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Champagne: Rot ruins the grapes

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