1984 Mas de Daumas Gassac

71.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.3% Merlot, 7.2% Cabernet Franc, 3.1% Tannat, 7% Malbec, 5.1% Syrah, 1% rare varieties. TA 3.50  g/l (sulphuric) , pH 3.51. Milky and creamy. Slightly piquant spice here. Black cherry, pretty upfront tannins (despite the age) and good persistence. Not as aromatically broad as the 1985 or 1987 though. (RH)

Deep and dark with a little age at rim and an intriguing, almost porty nose. There is that treacly note again. Still overshadowed by the opulence of the 1983, but attractively scented. This is slightly more of a simple red wine than one that exhibits real local character. The tannins are less well covered with fruit. They should keep the wine going but will it actually improve? Other tasters hated it. (JR)