A great classic year in Sauternes, with a large crop of superb wines being produced. The summer was hot and dry and the first half of September was affected by heavy rains. There then followed a period of humid, misty weather, which lasted throughout most of October. Widespread botrytis produced rich, opulent and highly aromatic wines.

In character the wines are similar to those of 1983, yet the quality is more consistent than is found in the latter. The very best are powerful and long-lived and are only now approaching maturity.