Haut Brion 2002

Pessac-Leognan, First Growth

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Tasting Notes

Tasted blind at Farr’s 2002 Bordeaux tasting. Very good intensity on the nose with blackberry, black olive, gravel and hot bricks/cedar. Great definition. The full-bodied palate is very dense and sturdy with gripping tannins. Very precise, obviously a lot of craftsmanship, but not as complex as some of the other First Growth ‘02s with autumn leaves fluttering down upon the elegant finish. A lovely wine to drink rather than intellectualize over. Tasted October 2009.

Score: 91

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 January 2010

Round and heady and easy, real depth and interest. Juicy. Very long. (17.5++ points)

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2011-2019 04 November 2009

Good ruby-red. Redcurrant, plum, tobacco and flowers on the nose. Suave and light on its feet, with excellent integrated acidity framing and extending the flavors. Classy and classic wine, finishing with ripe, building tannins. This would be perfect with a cigar. Today Delmas and Masclet prefer this 2002 to the 2001 Haut-Brion, but for La Mission they give the edge to the 2001. (92+ points)

Score: 92

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2005

Aromas of minerals, forest floor, fresh mushrooms, plums, and currants are present in the moderately fragrant bouquet. Angular, with hard tannin, medium body, and sweet plums as well as currants, this 2002 is harder and tougher-textured than from barrel. Like many 2002s, it is reserved and angular at present. It remains to be seen whether it will flesh out and reveal more charm and succulence. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020.

Score: 89

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2020 30 April 2005

Whether it’s a coincidence, or because in relatively cool years the first-growth terroirs are brilliant, Haut-Brion has turned out a beautifully classic, medium-bodied, precise and focused 2002 boasting a deep ruby/purple color as well as strikingly elegant aromatics (crushed stones, plums, black cherries, currants, figs, and earth). The wine possesses impressively measured power and elegance offered in a medium-bodied, nicely-structured, exceptionally pure format. It is unusual for Haut-Brion to dominate La Mission Haut-Brion at such a young age, but it certainly does in the 2002 vintage.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2024 01 October 2003

Complex aromas of blackberries, tobacco and cedar follow through to a full-bodied palate, with ripe, velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. Very beautiful. Best after 2009.

Score: 93

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2009+ 31 March 2005