The 2002 Chateau Margaux may have started off under difficult growing conditions, but it has evolved into a wine that is surprising in its elegance. With a youthful, dark color and aromas of pomegranate, raspberry, cedar, and smoke, it has a lighter body with fresh acidity and moderate length. While not built for long aging, this wine showcases the quality of the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc in a more approachable style. It’s a delightful vintage with good freshness and concentration, offering enjoyment now, though it will continue to evolve through the next decade.

Decanter | D 94
Published: Jul 19, 2023
Drink: 2023-2045

Surprisingly dark colour and the aromas are still reasonably youthful, with notes of pomegranate and raspberry shaded with cedar and smoke. The feel on the palate is light in body and somewhat astringent, with fresh acidity and moderate length. Ultimately, the wine is not lacking ripeness but is a decidedly lighter style and not for long ageing. 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The cool, wet 2002 growing season was derided early on by observers, including myself, but this is a thoroughly pleasant wine.
Closure: Natural Cork
Alcohol: 13.00%
Body: Medium
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 8% Cabernet Franc 87% Cabernet Sauvignon 8% Merlot

The Wine Advocate | RP 93
Published: Apr 29, 2005
Drink: 2010-2030

Performing better from bottle than at any time in cask (which of course is the objective of great winemaking, isn't it?), this wine reveals a dense ruby/purple color in a style somewhat reminiscent of the 1988 but with more power, concentration, and volume. It has a beautifully elegant nose of black fruits intermixed with truffle, flower, and oak. The wine is medium to full-bodied, dense, with wonderful precision, freshness, and a long, full-bodied finish with impressive levels of concentration. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030. 

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 17
Published: Nov 8, 2012
Drink: 2014-2024

Crimson with a slightly pale rim. Buckwheat nose. Quite skinny and with marked acidity. This wine initially had a note that was almost green and underripe. Not that long. But it opened out a little in the glass and was the most improved wine after 24 hours in the decanter. It became a little more voluptuous and might have earned a score of 17.5.

Chateau-margaux.com

Vintage 2002
The Merlot yields, especially those from old vines, were seriously affected by the onset of coulure and particularly millerandage. We might have thought that a relatively low production would have enabled the grapes to reach better ripeness levels; however, the fine weather arrived too late for the Merlot, whose ripeness was too far behind to catch up. The quality of the Merlot was, on the whole, disappointing. On the other hand, the Cabernets and the Petit Verdot took full advantage of this Indian summer, which so often produces very good, even great vintages in Bordeaux. Their quality was, on the whole, remarkable. Our final blend, therefore, includes very little Merlot (it may even be the lowest ever proportion in history at Château Margaux). So it is essentially a wine made up of fine, pure, rich, tight-knit and tender Cabernet Sauvignon. It may lack some complexity and depth in order to be considered a great vintage. Very fine September weather can certainly make up most of the lost ground, but it cannot totally replace the ripeness that is achieved during a glorious August. After the bottling, Château Margaux 2002 had acquired even more finesse, without losing any of that classic tight-knit tannic structure which bodes so well for excellent aging. We recommend, ideally, waiting for a few more years even if it already gives a lot of pleasure. (October 2018)