TN: 1994 Château Haut-Bailly

The 93 and 94 vintages in Bordeaux met with sparse praise from critics but I have found that selected wines, particularly right bank, can be very good.

This one was quite dark, had a nose of red fruit (with a slight green edge typical of the vintage) with very decent fruit levels on palate and a softly tannic medium length finish.

There are quite a few from these vintages that are like this - 93 Trotanoy is excellent as is the La Mission, and the Magdalaine is quite decent. In the slightly better vintage of 1994 the La Mission is killer and if carefully bought so are some of the Left bank like the Pichon Lalonde.

My half dozen of Haut-Bailly 1994 were about the most variable of any bottles I can remember, though some Jaboulet La Chapelle from the mid-90s run them close. Two were write-offs with cabbage and blocked drain aromas, two were mediocre and two, including the last in 2018, were very good.

That said, I agree about 93 and 94 which, even from the left bank, have both given me more pleasure than their poor reputation would suggest; the former could be charming in a lightish vein and the latter sturdy and satisfying. I recall particularly some very good Ducru-Beaucaillou, Pontet-Canet and Poujeaux from 1994 and Léoville-Lascases and again Poujeaux from 1993. Perhaps I was lucky in my choices but it's an illustration that blanket condemnation of vintages is unjustified.

[Jenise]

I've quite liked some '94s. CT says I only have Canon and Leoville Las Cases. I didn't know I had either but am certain I've got Ducru Beaucaillou (best '94 I've tasted) and, perhaps, Pontet Canet. Better go check, huh.

If you like we could conspire - I could bring out the 94 Pichon Lalande and you could offer up the 94 Las Cases - just say the word and that's what we'll do for the next lunch!

And if anyone from our group (John!) reads this you are to stay schtum!

[Jenise]

I've forgotten what the topic is--is it Bordeaux?

CT says I have a few '94s left (Poyferre, Talbot, Clos Rene) but might be phantom bottles. My favorites were always Pomerol or Graves (HBrion is probably WOTV for me), but I think plenty of Medoc wines were enjoyable in a slightly lean tannic style. Not a lot of elegance, but good with a steak.
I am certain I don't have any '93s.Generally the most positive thing I remember about the '93s that I had were they were better than '92 or '91.

[Jenise]

Bill, checked the cellar and to borrow Dale's term, the '94's CT and I thought I have, were "phantoms". All gone from that vintage. Nice idea, but...!