(91-93 points) Very good full color. More discreet, brooding aromas of black cherry, leather and smoke, plus a faint burnt quality that characterizes this wine in the riper years. Lovely intensity and purity of fruit in the mouth; sound acids give the wine excellent definition and backbone. Very ripe aftertaste, with dusty, even tannins. Certainly among the top ten of the vintage. -- Stephen Tanzer

Tasted at an off-line dinner in Singapore. This is such a lovely Pessac-Leognan that is drinking perfectly now. It has a slightly austere, reserved nose that opens up slowly in the glass with touches of cigar box and tobacco that become more accentuated with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a sense of natural balance, a little dusty perhaps, but great poise and nonchalance towards the finish. It will not ameliorate, but I can see this La Mission cruising along its plateau for at least another decade. Drink now-2020. Tasted November 2009.

This vintage again demonstrates what an extraordinary terroir La Mission-Haut-Brion possesses. It was not an easy year, with rain, flowering issues and uncooperative weather in the critical months of August and September, but the vineyard’s superb drainage and La Mission’s ability to produce fascinating aromatics even in difficult vintages triumphs again. Classic Graves aromas of charcoal, scorched earth, red and black fruits, truffles, graphite and melted tar emerge from this dark garnet/plum-colored 1994. In the mouth, there is some angularity and rustic tannins remaining, but they are not out of balance. With medium to full body as well as more depth than many of its peers, the wine appears to be close to full maturity. However, with this level of acidity and tannin, it is not likely to fall apart any time soon. Anticipated maturity: now-2025.

Fully mature, this has morphed into an elegant, soft, refined, lighter style of La Mission Haut Brion. Everything has moved to the subtle side. The wine is not overly complex, but the sweet notes of cassis, cherry and cigar wrapper were there, just to a lighter degree. The tannins have completely melted away. The soft finish is on the short side. The wine is now, disarmingly easy to drink. If you have any of this in your cellar, you need to be popping those corks, before the remaining fruit fades away. Pop and pour, or a short, 20 minute decant is all this needs. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=1994&wine=Chateau%20La%20Mission%20Haut-Brion