1994 Martinez

[jdaw1]

On Tuesday 26th March 2024, at The Boot & flogger, we tasted 1994s.

• Review of the evening as a whole;
  • 1994 Croft;
  • 1994 Taylor;
  • 1994 Fonseca;
  • 1994 Tesco;
  • 1994 Martinez;
  • 1994 Warre;
  • 1994 Dow;
  • 1994 Graham;
  • 1994 Quinta do Vesuvio;
  • 1994 Cockburn;
  • 1994 Kopke;
  • 1994 Quinta do Noval;
  • 1994 Burmester;
  • 1994 Cálem;
  • 1994 Royal Oporto;
• Planning and arrangements;
• Placemats;
• Food order.

[jdaw1]

I just hate 1990s corks. Bloody Fonseca cork exploded into tiny fragments, even after being loosened with the JDAW cork impeller.

Ditto my Warre cork, but Martinez and Noval came clean. All three opened 23:30.


Edit: N, W, Mz — all decanted 07:45.

Mz94, opened 23:30 the night before, decanted 07:45: dark dark red, 80% opaque. Mid-weight, big maraschino cherries, and a crisp bitterness throughout. Liked. Good of itself, and adjusted for modern reputation of house, very good.

[nac]

Quite pale - <50%. Something not quite right on the nose. Palate was better. Tastes much older than it is - maybe stored too hot at some point. OK. 4/7

[Alex Bridgeman]

Opened 23.30, double decanted 07.45, tasted 17.50.

Paler than most of the wines at this tasting at 70% opacity, but attractive appearance nevertheless. Bright and fresh on an extremely attractive nose. Gentle and fragrant strawberry on the palate, beautifully framed with gentle tannins and elegant acidity. Sparkling (figuratively rather than literally) but slightly sweet aftertaste. Long and slightly sticky redcurrant aftertaste and a decent length on the finish. Delightfully attractive. 92/100.

[flash_uk]

45% opacity, red. Fresh nose, cranberries. Mid weight, red fruit, acidity cuts through the weight. Overall quite evolved for 30 years old, and a bit lightweight.