1994 La Dominique

Shows impressive ripeness for the vintage with a tobacco and berry character. Has a velvety texture, medium body and firm tannins. Better in 1998. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 1997

One of the most conspicuous over-achievers from Bordeaux's right bank appellations of St.-Emilion and Pomerol, La Dominique continues to fashion excellent wines that still represent fine value (although their prices are beginning to creep up). The 1994 La Dominique reveals some of the vintage's tell-tale astringent tannin and toughness, but it is loaded with creamy, ripe, black-raspberry and currant fruit. My instincts suggest a balance between fruit and tannin has been struck. The wine is dense, dark ruby/purple-colored, with a sweet smelling, oaky, earthy, smoky, blackcurrant-scented nose. This medium to full-bodied, ripe 1994 possesses admirable concentration, moderately high tannin, and excellent purity. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2016. Feb 1997, www.robertparker.com

1994 La Dominique: Good medium color. Less interesting nose dominated by oak spice and chocolate. Softer and less obviously extracted than the '95, but perhaps more graceful. Finishes sweeter, with a caramel quality that appears to derives more from the fruit than from the wood; slight note of greenness. I can't find much depth of flavor here.