Margaux 1994

This largely forgotten vintage seems to have turned the corner in the last year or two. Because of strict selections made at the top châteaux, the wines always had density, but the level of tannin was frequently too high and the type of tannin was more green and astringent. Château Margaux's 1994 has always been one of the candidates for the "wine of the vintage." The wine still has a dense plum/purple colour and a big, sweet nose of black fruits intermixed with licorice, camphor, vanilla and a hint of flowers. The wine is dense and powerful, but the tannins have softened and do not seem as hard and intrusive as they did in the late 1990's. This wine will last for decades and hopefully become even more seamless, although it is hard to believe all the tannin will gradually dissipate. Anticipated maturity:2008-2025.

Chateau Margaux was one of the last estates to bottle their 1994, hoping to be a classic, long-lived Margaux. The opaque purple color is followed by this estate's tell-tale aromas of flowers, blackcurrants, licorice, and smoky oak. This dense, powerful, closed wine is a true vin de gard. It needs a decade of cellaring, but it should last for 25-35 years. Readers may find this wine reminiscent of the 1988, only riper and more powerful. Ancicipated maturity : 2005-2030.