1984 vintage guide for Red Rhone

drink soon

The reds were mostly light and charming but short-lived

2/5

Weather Conditions

A cool spring got the growing season off to a poor start in the north, and flowering was unusually late. There was a good deal of summer rain, and growers who harvested as late as possible fared best. In the south there was less rain, but the weather was unsettled, persuading the best growers to wait until early October, when they could harvest in better conditions.

Best Appellations

North: there were clear signs of unripeness in many wines, even from Hermitage. South: the reds were mostly light and charming but short-lived.

Best Producers

Only magnums from Chave are worth keeping now.

Jacques Reynaud at Rayas made some good Chateauneuf.