Best Red Wine 1984
1984 was a very tough vintage for Europe. California had a very good growing season, but these are not 40-50 year wines. That said, the below wines are still drinking very nicely. I wouldn't expect them to hold on for decades longer, but they are inexpensive and delightful to drink where stored properly. There is a lot of similar quality to be found in California Cabernet's not found on this list with the same proviso that they don't have ages of drinking ahead.
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Why it's best:
Ridge's flagship wine, Monte Bello, was one of the perennial contenders for Wine of the Vintage all the way through the early 90's. Though it doesn't typically show well against peers when young, this is a wine that develops and improves over time in a very traditional manne...read full review
Why it's a best pick:
There is a reason Heitz has been a leading producer in California since the 60's - quality! Largely overshadowed by its younger sibling, the great 1985, 1984 Heitz Martha's is a well-kept secret among oenophiles. Showing all the complexity of great vintages of this wine, tho... read full review
Why it's a best pick:
Like the others on this list, Chateau Montelena has been building age-worthy cabernet's for decades. The 1984 is a very full wine that though low in acid, has enough richness to remain in beautiful form. True to the level of quality this great estate routinely achieves, this... read full review
Why it's a best pick:
Though showing a little more of that old, dusty Cabernet aromatic than I appreciate, this is still displaying an inner core of dark cherry fruit. Though it has clearly past it's prime, this is a case where fruit is winning the race against structure, making it a pleasant exp... read full review
Why it's a best pick:
This is very much a sleeper, and has been one of my pet wines since my first experience in early 1999. This is a very elegant wine, which after 40 minutes of airing grows into a compelling effort. Its very complex without coming across as busy or weighty and the balance of t... read full review
