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Bordeaux 1994: Tasting, July 2004

Bordeaux 1994

Towards Maturity

Tasting, July 2004

Tasting, April 2007

This tasting was the second of two 1994 tastings. Unfortunately I missed the first, which concentrated on the northern left bank, because of my trip to the Loire. This tasting focussed on Margaux and the right bank. (7/7/04)

Bordeaux 1994 - Tasting Notes

Tasted in July 2004. Click to locate stockists:

Chateau Roudier (Montagne St Emilion) 1994: Medium density. A blackcurrant conserve nose, with a fruit-gum sweetness too. Soft and rounded palate, but a grippy tannic structure beneath. Some sweet round fruit as well, although the structure dominates, with a dry, tannic finish. 13.5/20

Chateau L'Arrosee (St Emilion) 1994: Quite dark, fading to a pink rim. Mature fruit, sweet toffee, even a hint of treacle, on the nose. Structured, and even a bit of elegant balance on the palate. Some soft, ripe tannins. Develops a creamy, almost chewy character. Very drinkable now, but ideally should have another couple of years in the cellar in order to shed the streak of tannins that show on the finish. 15/20

Chateau Latour à Pomerol (Pomerol) 1994: Dark, not quite opaque at the core, and showing a wide rim of pallor. Very dense, minerally and claretty on the nose, which opens out to give something more smoky and chewy. It is slightly spicy on the palate, with a little fruitcake note, but with plenty of structure and tannin. A sweet, almost exotic midpalate, the texture carrying through onto the finish. Serious wine which needs five years plus in the cellar. 15+/20

Chateau Cheval-Blanc (St Emilion) 1994: Very dense, dark colour. A lovely nose, full of maturing, slightly roasted fruit, but also lots of burnt-toffee toasted oak. A really lovely palate! Big, sweet, earthy and textured. Meaty. Great concentration. Structured, with ripe tannin. Sweet fruit and some oak here too. This is one set for the cellar in order to show its best. Needs five years. 17.5+/20

Chateau Pichon-Lalande (Pauillac) 1994: Dark, deeply coloured, mature. An impressive nose, loaded with a super-sweet depth of smoky, meaty, blackcurrant nose. The palate keeps up appearances, with a wealth of big, sweet, glossy, creamy and textured fruit. Very accessible, voluptuous, although with a tannic backbone. Exotic. Balanced. Absolutely gorgeous wine. Approachable now, but with a little tannin still showing in the finish as well this has room for improvement yet. 18+/20

Chateau Kirwan (Margaux) 1994: A really quite dense hue, and good concentration to the rim. It has a big, open nose, full of ripe, dark plummy fruit. Soft, glossy, sweetly textured palate. Rounded, creamy, nicely integrated. Firm and structured, with just a little sooty tannin in the finish. This is an impressive effort for this chateau. 15.5+/20

Chateau Rauzan-Ségla (Margaux) 1994: Dense and mature colour. More closed on the nose than some other 1994s, although it does open to reveal some dark fruits. Structured, with ripe tannins, but there is plenty of texture draped over it. The fruit is there too. A full, delicious wine, very supple, and approachable now. 17+/20

Chateau Palmer (Margaux) 1994: A moderately deep intensity. An elegant, toffee and perfume nose. Sweet, rounded and voluptuous palate. Lovely extract and an exotic character on the palate, with a precise balance showing through into the finish. This is fabulous and has real potential. 17.5+/20