Haut Brion 1994

This is one of the surprise sleeper wines of the vintage that has more successes than many people suspect in spite of all the rain. The tremendous drainage enjoyed by the Haut-Brion vineyard worked in its favour during this wet September harvest. The colour is deep plum/ruby with a bit of lightening at the edge. Notes of compost, truffle, earth, spice box, dried herbs, and licorice compete with sweet black cherry and currant fruit. The wine is medium bodied, with a relatively plump, chewy feel to it. It is certainly one of the top half-dozen or so wines of the two bigger wines that Haut-Brion produced in 1995 and 1996. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2024.

Seductive fully evolved nose. A little simple on palate – the acidity slightly pronounced. Firm and strongly mineral and dusty. An awkward stage? The tannins are pretty grippy. For me a parallel with how the 2001 is tasting today.

In contrast to the 1993's penetring, upfront aromas, the 1994 is closed aromatically. With coaxing, some truffle-like, sweet black fruit aromas, as well as those of mineral/stones come forward. This spicy, full-bodied, powerful wine is a more masculine, structured effort than the 1993, with a potentially more complex, richer character. It is superbly crafted, beautifully balanced, and as pure as a wine can be. The integration of new oak, acidity, and tannin is commendable. Anticipated maturity : 2002-2025.