1994

Rating: 9/10 - keep
One of the finest Port vintages of the last 25 years and one that has been universally declared by growers and shippers. Winter was very wet, although March and April witnessed some warm and dry weather. Heavy rain and cold weather during May seriously affected the flowering and reduced the potential final yields.
June, July and August saw ideal weather and this continued through into September when the hot days were accompanied by cool nights, thus ensuring that acidity levels remained intact.
Some growers jumped the gun and started harvesting on 8th September. Much welcome rain then fell during the following week and most growers started picking on the 20th. The Vintage Ports are characterised by their ultra-ripe fruit as well as being very well structured and extremely long-lived. It is early days (in Vintage Port terms) but this is potentially one of the finest vintages of the last century.