2002 Las Cases

[SF Ed]

Decanted about 2 hours before serving. Fully mature and while the tannins are big, they are refined and resolving.

Classical lean mouthfeel, very 2002. Not particularly large or long but tastes like Las Cases. Will hold for a while.

I enjoy wines like this. They taste like Bordeaux. It reminded me of a blend of 1978 and 1981 Las Cases - tannic and not super fruity but extremely typical and ready to drink. I like wines that have large resolved tannic spines and taste mature. This will keep aging for a while but I don't think it will get better.

SF Ed

[stefan]

This looks like a good time to begin drinking the fancier 2002s. Have you drunk any of the 2002 Firsts yet?

[JimHow]

We had the 2002 Lafite at your house, Stefan, it needed more time. I call the 2002 vintage “wonderfully austere,” the left bank wines are so true to form.

[stefan]

Yes, Jim, but that was a while back. And we have not tried the other 2002 FG for several years.

[AKR]

Notes and comments on this property grow scarcer here....

[JoelD]

I've heard some Las Cases from the 2000's are drinking surprisingly well now. With a decant of course. 2002, 2004, 2008 come to mind from recent palates I trust. Glad it turned out.

I'm waiting on my couple bottles of 2002 Haut Brion. My friend Dallas has had both the 2002 and 2003 recently, of the two he thinks the 2003 is more ready to go, and maybe the better bottle.

[Gerry M.]

I only have a single bottle of 02' Ch LLC and really appreciate the recent note.

A month ago a shared a bottle of 02'Haut Brion that was ready to go with only a short decant.

[JimHow]

I think Haut Brion may be the best of the 2002 first growths.
Eddie and I each brought a bottle to the Dallas convention a few years back and they were very lovely.
I've had it a few times over the years, very classic. I don't recall ever having the '03 HB, but I may have.

[SF Ed]

This looks like a good time to begin drinking the fancier 2002s. Have you drunk any of the 2002 Firsts yet?

I've drunk three of them. The Latour is the best of the lot and surprisingly approachable. I think it will hold for a long time but its already drinking well.

Haut Brion is also approachable and tastes like Haut Brion. I think it will improve.

Lafite is an enigma to me. I've only tried it once, but it was missing the tannins I've had in most other top 2002s. The fruit was nice, but I didn't get the sense of anything it could age against. I have 5 more - I should try one again soon.

Didn't buy the Margaux or Mouton and haven't tasted them.

SF Ed