1994 Vintage?

:point_up_2:

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Legendary year in Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Napa.

People here don’t know much about Spain other than LdH, but anything you can find from the year is going to be good. Same with Napa - it was before they went crazy with the late picking. The last of the “classic” years, as it were.

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Bordeaux only if you like lighter wines. If not, Napa, Rioja or Port. As others already said. I had 1994 Pichon Lalande and Palmer recently. Both fine but nothing spectacular as many 1994 Napa wines are.

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I’ll add
Magdelaine
Prūm Auslese
Olivier’s Sercial

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I’ve been very pleased with some 1994 Rauzan Seglas I’ve had in recent years.

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Whether Napa Cab is your preference or not, it is hard to deny what a phenomenal year it was.

A few that I didn’t see mentioned-

1994 Corison Napa Valley (this is singing)
1994 Frog’s Leap Cab
1994 Mayacamas Cab

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I bet the Mayacamas is finally hitting it’s window!!

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Fwiw, got an offer from flatiron (SF) for a collection of old Rioja, including a 1994 Franco-Espanolas Bordon gran reserva for under a hundred bucks. Haven’t had the 94 but the 1970 I had a couple years ago was still in excellent shape!

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Vega Sicilia Unico

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Adding some '94 notes, I’ve made since this thread.

1994 Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Cabernet Sauvignon Los Vascos - This is dead now. Flavor fallen out and acid astringent remains. Interesting pyrazine oder lingers.

1994 Marcel Deiss Pinot Gris Altenberg de Bergheim Sélection de Grains Nobles - In fantastic shape. Beautiful. Probably scores in the mid 90s bottle, but will have a placeholder score at 92 (note: this a very high score for me) till I can try again. Sadly, did not take detailed note :frowning: Not at risk of decline. I would have by itself or with cheese.

1994 Trimbach Gewurztraminer Sélection de Grains Nobles - This wine is a lovely thing. It lacks no substance, but is very agile. Elegant and sophisticated. Sure of itself, but not arrogant. Beautiful golden bronze color. Bottle has some light sediment that is easily dealt with. The nose is rich and suggestive. Floral, wildflower honey, quince, shriveled apricot, light cinnamon. The idea of caramel. Syrup energy. N noted peach and a wood note. The taste - wowza. Rich and ripe flavors of honey, spices, almond, light caramel tones, quince, canned peach or peach tarte tatin, and, having read Otto’s note I can’t untaste it, a touch of apple jam. Texturally fascinating. While there is this viscous, syrup, sticky rich ripe quality to the wine - it is not heavy! The acid is here, folks, and it keeps it all in balance. There is almost a light refreshing bitterness at the end. At first, the finish was not super long and my mouth was clean at the end. In hour 2.5 now, it’s stay has lengthened. Timing: We’re of split opinions. For me, this was ecstatic for the firs hour and then faded. N preferred it more as it opened. Don’t see a risk of this going over the hill. Agree with others that, while delicious, doesn’t scream Gewurz

1994 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon - Great! Black fruits, some tar, little wood. Complex. Fruit still there. Acid still there. And, it still has balance - neither shriveled out or jammed. Impressive. For me, only outclassed by '87 Montelena.

1994 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve - Beautiful beautiful beautiful. ZZ Top under cork.

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My son’s birth year, so always tasting when can.

The love of 1994 Napa is not what I have found. With the exception of a couple of estates, this was the vintage that jumped the shark. I had the Insignia recently, it was still a big wine with way too much make up. I tried to sense some complexity, but did find any. Certainly a softer easier version of the wine that was released, but I wasn’t able to finish my first glass, let alone pour another.

Togni made a good wine, Mouton was excellent, but I purchased a case , for other reasons and bought a fair amount of Port.

Recently pulled the cork on a 1994 Joseph Phelps Insignia and it was in tremendous shape. It’s showing beautifully right now and, in my opinion, I suspect it has plenty of life left in it.

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I believe that is the botrytis, and at just the right level.

94 Kathryn Kennedy was a special wine

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Really was

The fun part of wine is the remembrance of the time place and environment of the experience

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Rayas! So good!

Thanks for bringing my attention to this thread, @gavin.f . I hope Nicole enjoyed her birthday as much as you did!

I have had 94 Dominus a number of times and it always showed well.

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As others have mentioned, its hard to go wrong in Cali!

1994 Ravenswood Monte Rosso Zinfandel is a killer wine! Highly recommend.