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A generally disappointing vintage
Weather Conditions
Unpredictable weather in 1984 resulted in a poor crop. This is especially true of the Merlot, and this had a profound impact on the wines produced in Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. Early spring conditions were not particularly notable, but April was exceptionally warm, which promoted the growth of the vines, but this development was halted as a result of a cold and very wet May. A hot June saw an over-enhanced flowering. July and August were sunny and hot, but the crucial ripening period at the end of summer was ruined by
heavy rainfall. A hurricane on the 5th of October, towards the end of the harvest period, did not help matters.
Best Appellations
The poorest vintage of the decade, in which the Merlot crop largely failed, leading to hard, charmless, Cabernet-based wines, overpriced from the start. The properties which picked late fared best.
Best Producers
(St Estephe) Cos d’Estournel is comparatively rich and supple for such a difficult year. (Margaux) Margaux stands out, but Palmer is also good.
(St Julien) Leoville-Las-Cases. (Pauillac) Pichon-Longueville-Comtesse de Lalande. (Graves) Haut-Brion, La Mission are particularly noteworthy.
