WTN: 1994 Chateau Margaux

[Jenise]

In a mood to celebrate with a roasted prime rib cap and potatoes au gratin, I opened a '94 Margaux. We originally bought four bottles, drank one early that I don't really remember (it probably disappointed), another two years ago that definitely disappointed, and this one that, finally, did not disappoint. Where the last one had green notes this one, while still from a rather ungenerous vintage, had good color and that great mature Bordeaux nose most Bdx fans live for along with that sweet Margaux perfume on both the nose and palate. We decanted to separate the good part from sediment only to find there was virtually no sediment, and the wine drank nicely over two hours.

[David M. Bueker]

Lovely!

Is this Ch Margaux if not, which Margaux?

[Jenise]

Yes indeed, Peter, the Chateau.

I opened my single bottle of 1994 Chateau Lafite Rothschild last fall and it seemed to be in a good place also--not spectacular but very drinkable.

[Jenise]

I opened my single bottle of 1994 Chateau Lafite Rothschild last fall and it seemed to be in a good place also--not spectacular but very drinkable.

Too bad; for the price you probably paid, you deserve a few more fireworks. The '94 Ducru Beaucaillou and Pontet Canet both do, for instance.

Actually, I think I got a pretty good price on it (somewhat over $100.) It was not purchased en primeur but before the big Chinese interest in Lafite. My expectations were not extremely high because the retailer said 1994 was a so-so vintage, but I wanted to experience a first growth and I found it pretty satisfying.
Pontet Canet does overdeliver sometimes doesn't it?

Lucky you, Jenise. I haven't owned either Ch. Margaux or Ch.Lafite '94 but I did get a taste of the latter at the estate itself during a RVF organised millenium party in Bordeaux; it was elegant but obviously too young for full enjoyment. Overall my '94s have delivered far more enjoyment in a sturdy style than the vintage's reputation would lead one to expect. As others have mentioned Pontet-Canet is an exceptional success but Phélan-Ségur and Poujeaux were good too as were the better bottles of Haut-Bailly, but three of the last were badly "off" smelling of cabbage and drains. Léoville-Poyferré was quite good and two bottles of Ducru are still unopened, so I'm encouraged by Jenise's comments about that one.

[Jenise]

Actually, I think I got a pretty good price on it (somewhat over $100.) It was not purchased en primeur but before the big Chinese interest in Lafite. My expectations were not extremely high because the retailer said 1994 was a so-so vintage, but I wanted to experience a first growth and I found it pretty satisfying.
Pontet Canet does overdeliver sometimes doesn't it?

I paid $102 for the Margauxs. Or at least, that's the price on the bottle--but my inventory says $70 and I remember there being something odd at the time that they were a spectacular deal. Yes re PC. I thought so even when the wine was unpopular--nowadays, though, everyone's caught on.

[Jenise]

Lucky you, Jenise. I haven't owned either Ch. Margaux or Ch.Lafite '94 but I did get a taste of the latter at the estate itself during a RVF organised millenium party in Bordeaux; it was elegant but obviously too young for full enjoyment. Overall my '94s have delivered far more enjoyment in a sturdy style than the vintage's reputation would lead one to expect. As others have mentioned Pontet-Canet is an exceptional success but Phélan-Ségur and Poujeaux were good two as were the better bottles of Haut-Bailly, but three of the last were badly "off" smelling of cabbage and drains. Léoville-Poyferré was quite good and two bottles of Ducru are still unopened, so I'm encouraged by Jenise's comments about that one.

You'll love the Ducru!

[David M. Bueker]

Nowadays Pontet Canet is a very different wine from what it was in 1994 until 2004. It spoofed up starting in 2005.

[Jenise]

What a shame, David, wasn't aware. But I haven't been buying Bordeaux since 2005 anyway so for the most part am not paying attention. I need to concentrate on drinking what we have instead.