TN: 2002 Pichon Baron

[JonB]

Popped and poured. Very tight for the first 30 minutes. Deep opaque ruby, medium bodied. Classic nose of cedar, loam and black cassis. On the palate a mix of black and sour cherry, and cassis. At first a short minerally finish, then when it opens the finish lengthens but concludes with a little tannic bite and classy oak, which is slightly stronger than the fruit. Overall a very enjoyable wine, but is slightly dilute......88.

I bought a case of these a couple of years ago (maybe upon SteveH's recommendation) and this was my first. Should be even better when I open the next one in about 2 years.

[Gerry M.]

Thanks for the update! I still have a case of this left and have probably consumed almost as much. Andy and I bought deep into this wine primarily because NH had this for the insance price of $33/bottle after discounts. How could I say no?

With a moderate amount of decant time I've found this to be quite enjoyable and think it will improve some over the next few years.

[AlexR]

Yes, $ 33 dollars is dirt cheap.

I don't understand. Isn't that selling at a loss. Can a state liquor monopoly do that?

As for the wine, 2002s were pretty cheap, and some are undoubtedly good deals.

All the best,
Alex R.

[Houndsong]

That was the price around release I suspect. That's about what I paid for the 2002 Pontet Canet.

[JimHow]

I bought a case in NH at that $33 price as well.
I liked the wine on release, thought the style was representative of that wonderfully austere and stern vintage.

[stefan]

I only bought a 100 bottles of '02 Bdx. The evidence mounts that I should have bought more.

stefan

[Chasse-Spleen]

I still look forward to the day Stefan cracks an '02 Lefty and posts a tasting note...
-Chasse

[stefan]

Chris, I actually did try the '02 Pape Clement last year and liked it a lot even if it was several years from maturity, but I neglected to take notes.

stefan

[JimHow]

I just absolutely love those 2002 left bankers. There are almost no other vintages I can think of in the past thirty years with which they compare, I guess 1988 and 1996 providing some similarities but even those vintages are different from 2002 in a number of ways. The 2002 vintage is the poster child of English structured stern claret with a solid core of fruit to back up the structure and tannins. They feature great finishes.

[AlexR]

Jim,

I'm so glad you like those wines.

The Man in Monkton gives the Médoc communal appellatons a score of 88 I see.

The better 2002s represent excellent value for money, that's for sure!

Alex

[JimHow]

Oh yeah, Alex, we were getting wines like Leoville Poyferre for about $30, I remember d'Issan going for $28, Leoville Barton I paid $38 for, etc., etc.

The last legitimate sale I remember Zachy's conducting was some incredibly low prices of the 2002s to make room for the 2003s.

[stefan]

And first growths for around $100!

[JimHow]

That's right, I got four bottles of 2002 Lafite for exactly $100 each at Garnet in NYC. Why I didn't buy loads more I'll never know.

[Chasse-Spleen]

Stefan, I do now remember you refering to the 'lovely' or (etc.) '02 Pape Clement at some point in the not too distant past.

[Blanquito]

...and the excellent Leoville Barton 2002 for $35!

I liked the Duhart in '02, too.

[Ramon_NYC]

...and the excellent Leoville Barton 2002 for $35!

Just to lower the ante by just a bit, my 2002 Leoville Barton were purchased for $31. I hope they're at least close to being excellent as the $35 ones (still a very good price for this wine).

Btw, I’ve been spotting some positive recent TNs on the 2002s. Case in point was the impressive 2002 Smith Haut Lafitte that Chasse brought to Tribeca Grill last November.
We should consider sampling the vintage at your next availability in NYC.