The 1984 has held up, but it requires drinking before the end of the century. For a terrible vintage, it has come close to being outstanding. It still exhibits a deep garnet color with some amber at the edge. The exotic, barbecue spice, roasted herb, green olive, and black-raspberry-scented nose is intact as well as interesting. On the palate, the wine's attack offers juicy fruit, a whiff of under ripe vegetables, and a compact finish. Some real sweetness and a good mid-palate are still evident, but don't push your luck. Anticipated maturity: now-1999. Last tasted 11/95.

Still lively, this has rich, extracted flavors of plum, berry and chocolate. Drinking well now, it should hold through 1998.--Guigal Cote-Rotie vertical. -TM