- Showing the gentle brick tone developing
- 1994 Graham.JPG (203.27 KiB) Viewed 839 times
The 1994 Library Release launch event was headlined by Anthony, Harry and Tom Symington. This is the first re-release (of only 200 cases of 12) of the 1994 vintage from Oporto reserves since the initial shipments in 1996/7. All bottles have been recorked before shipping. There is also a program to inspect bottles in the Vila Nova de Gaia cellars every 8-10 years and to recork those showing signs of the corks starting to fail. Charles recalls working in Fells during the 1994 harvest but working with Peter in the blending and tasting of the vintage and that this was one of the fastest decisions he has seen whether or not to declare. All the 1994 wines were foot-trodden as modern lagars were introduced with the 2000 vintage.
This was the most mature in appearance of the three 1994 vintages presented, nearing a brick-red tone; opaque with a medium rim. Warm fruit on the nose, youthful; pink rhubarb mixing fragrance with sourness. Sweet fruit on the palate with good, fine-grained tannins. Blackcurrant and bramble show on the late palate with wonderful acidity keeping the palate fresh. Bramble fruit aftertaste and a huge, fruit-driven finish with just a hint of eucalyptus at the end. The wine has a wonderful balance and is showing delicious secondary flavours. Showing wonderfully. 95/100. Tasted 02-Nov-21. Decanted 1½ hours.