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1994 Martinez Quinta da Eira Velha
A horizontal of 1994 and a G83 were tasted at Bordeaux Index, 10 Hatton Garden EC1N 8AH on Tuesday 4^th March 2014, in the presence of Richard Mayson, as arranged by Michael Schuster of MichaelSchusterWine.com.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1994 Quinta do Crasto (#1);
• 1994 Smith Woodhouse (#2);
• 1994 Gould Campbell (#3);
• 1994 Ramos Pinto (#4);
• 1994 Martinez Quinta da Eira Velha (#5);
• 1994 Martinez (#6);
• 1994 Niepoort (#7);
• 1994 Quinta do Noval (#8);
• 1994 Quinta do Vesuvio (#9);
• 1994 Dow (#10);
• 1994 Warre (#11);
• 1994 Graham (#12);
• 1994 Fonseca (#13);
• 1994 Taylor (#14);
• 1983 Graham;
• Arrangements on MichaelSchusterWine.com;
• Arrangements on ThePortForum.com.

MzEV94. Dark red, 60% opaque. Not liked, being too acidic, though that followed by a red grape aftertaste.

Decanted 1-2 hrs prior. 70% opacity, cloudy rim with fine sediment, slight legs. Not much from the nose, dark fruit, v v faint caramel. On the palate lots of heat, which stayed, OK balance but structure a bit weak.

Drink now.

***

Decanted at 3 pm (drunk from around 4.30 pm onwards). 70%, a light pink ruby with orange. Nose spirit and light rubbery plum. Mouth light and juicy at the entry, with bitter spirit and wood.

Darker in colour than the blended Martinez 1994; just transparent in the centre and one of the more mature looking 1994s on show this evening. Pleasant nose, lots of roses and fresh red fruit; attractive if faint but swirling brings more. The fruit is slow to develop on the palate and is a little light, but is delicious and elegant. The tannins are a little dry and not yet well integrated, but more time will soften and improve this wine. Gentle and fruity on the aftertaste, with a long green-tannin and lemon-zest dominated finish. A lovely wine with lots of life ahead of it. 89/100. Decanted 3½ hours.