TN: 1994 Ch. Branaire (Duluc-Ducru)

1994 Ch. Branaire (Duluc-Ducru) - the wines in this vintage were generally so-so but coming after a three year disaster record of 1991, 1992, and 1993 (which had some decent right bank wines), many people bought the 94s out of either relief or optimism. I have found the vintage to warrant the long wait in many cases.

The Ducru was still dark and showing a nose with cedar, a bit of mint, and red fruit. plus some later cassis and baking spice. Not a bad showing at all

I must get into my small stock of 1993s soon - Trotanoy, Magdaleine and La Fleur Petrus have always performed well for me.

[David M. Bueker]

1994 is a Bordeaux lover’s vintage. I still have a couple of bottles.

1993 was the best of the three unmitigated disaster years of 1991, 1992, and 1993.

1994 is a Bordeaux lover’s vintage. I still have a couple of bottles.

1993 was the best of the three unmitigated disaster years of 1991, 1992, and 1993.

Definitely - and best in Right Bank wines. I still have a few and should get into them (Trotanoy, Magdelaine and Lafleur Petrus.

Always hard to 'get' the 'odd' years when select wines were good or very good but it was generally an off vintage.

[Jenise]

1994 is a Bordeaux lover’s vintage. I still have a couple of bottles.

1993 was the best of the three unmitigated disaster years of 1991, 1992, and 1993.

At one point I owned '91 Latour, purchased for $15/bottle in NYC. Bargain of a lifetime!

Yes, you get some nice surprises in oddball vintages - that's why I always valued my en primeur Bordeaux tastings - but you had to be good at predicting where a wine, just in the bottle, would go over the next few decades, which can be difficult. I've got a 79 Latour that may be ready soon.....

Another question from time to time - when wines appreciate by ridiculous amounts, do you drink them or sell them? I've always opted for drinking but one of them I bought has gone up by a factor of 10 - worth c. $4K now. Drink or sell? Probably drink - I'll let you know!

PS Jenise, how was the 91?