Due to the good weather in September and October the vintage was saved and for most of this Indian summer a north-easterly wind further concentrated the grapes. The result, for those with the ability and courage to wait, was a crop of healthy, concentrated grapes with sugar levels as high or even higher than in 2000, unusually complimented by a high, natural acidity.
The best wines have a sumptuous blackcurrant character derived from extremely ripe Cabernet Sauvignon, the worst examples, picked too early are skinny and tart.
The Cabernet Sauvignon in Northern Medoc has produced some great wines.
For the first time since 1996, this is a year when the Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc outshone the Merlot. As a result, as in 1986 and 1996, the finest wines come from the Medoc and Northern Graves. It is also an excellent vintage for dry white wines and another successful year for Sauternes.
James Suckling of the wine spectator says
“2002 made good to outstanding wines that reminds me of 1966 most of the wines from well known Chateaux were of good to very good quality, a few were exceptional.”
