TN: 1994 Château Haut-Bailly

WINE TALK
#1

The 93 and 94 vintages in Bordeaux met with sparse praise from critics but I have found that selected wines, particularly non-Medoc, 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.

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#2

Not sure if you’ve tried the 94 l’Evangile but it is great.

#3

I have really enjoyed many 94’s recently; Latour, LLC, Mouton, Leoville Barton and Pontet Canet over the last few years. Going to open a ‘94 Ch Margaux this evening :crossed_fingers:

#4

I haven’t but will keep an eye out for it. Might be time I did a 93/94 tasting with my lunch group (assuming they have some)

#5

We await the note!

#6

1994 was prior to Bob Wilmers purchasing the winery and pouring a lot of cash into the infrastructure.

#7

'94 Pichon Lalande is no slouch either. Terrific value.

#8

Indeed (sitting on a half case) [wink.gif]

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#9

94 Rausan Segla is also drinking really nicely

2 Likes
#10

Oof! [snort.gif]

#11

Is haut Bailly, La Mission and Pessac Leognon considered right bank? I mean, it’s not medoc, but it is “left” of the gironde or it’s upstream feeder rivers.

#12

No, not technically - you are right. I regard them as being allied to right bank rather than left in character. .

#13

The ‘94 Ch. Margaux did not disappoint!
“Base neck fill and pristine cork; double decanted an hour before dinner. Deep garnet core with minimal bricking. Classic Margaux bouquet, with notes of dried red fruits, violets, plums, black truffle, cigar box and earth; nothing flamboyant here, very elegant and regal. Medium bodied, well balanced, with a silky texture, impressive depth, classic structure and grip, long and focused finish. A lovely wine but not meant for large tastings, as this is the antithesis of so many modern, flashy, and flamboyant Bordeaux; best savored and enjoyed with a meal.”

#14

I have one 1994 Pontet Canet left. To be opened 5/2024 with a neighbor as a birth year wine.

#15

'93 Weak vintage my arse! :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:


My 2021 WOTY

1993 D’issan

#16

I enjoy digging into these so called ‘off’ vintages

This past year I’ve had:

'93 second label Talbot
'92 Montrose
'91 Mouton

All were just lovely

I have a '92 La Tour HB and Pichon Baron that I look to open in 2022.

#17

Have tasted that one and it was decent. I have seen variable results for it though.

After the superb trio of 88, 89, 90, things went in the dumper. I was in Bordeaux in 1991 watching them harvesting at Petrus in the pouring rain, and I have tasted a few 91 and 92 bottles (not Petrus) and they are pretty poor, though with some surprises but 93 is decent if you are selective and 94 even a bit better.

I am one for one on the 93 La Fleur Petrus - one corked and one decent. One to go…

#18

Had this with Alfert about 8 years ago…unfortunately very green, underripe.

#19

Oh, he drank it all?

#20

Lol…Kelp juice…his fav