Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey 2002

Space limitations preclude including tasting notes. 2002 was an average vintage.

This is surprisingly good for a difficult vintage. Medium body, light sweetness and a clean, fruity finish. Lots of dried pineapple. Drink now.

Light lemon colour. Very, very sweet and slightly simple. Lots of short-term pleasure. Quite astringent finish. (JR)

Medium light yellow, bright. Subtle, ripe bouquet with almost buttery notes, flavors of pineapple and nectarines, already quite approachable. Long, silky palate with plenty of suppleness, ripe fruit with gently compote-like notes, not as heavy as other vintages, one of the most elegant Lafaurie wines of the last twenty years.

03: medium pale yellow; bright. Subtle, ripe bouquet; almost buttery notes, pineapple and nectarines – already feels quite approachable. Long, silky palate with plenty of suppleness and ripe, gently compote-like fruit. Not as heavy as other vintages, yet one of the most elegant Lafauries of the last twenty years. 18/20 2005–2050

Fresh, fruity, fragrant bouquet with grapefruit and raspberries. Dense, full-bodied palate with pronounced sweetness and good acidity. Very long, full, aromatic finish. 18/20 2012 - 2040

The 2002 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is pale to medium gold-amber in color. It flies out of the glass with open-knit scents of chamomile tea, lemon grass, and dried apricots, leading to suggestions of powdered ginger, tobacco, and preserved orange peel. The palate delivers mouthwatering acidity to offset the intense stone fruit preserve and spicy layers, finishing on a lingering, savory note.

A marvel of purity and subtlety, with fruit completely preserved from any hint of oxidation or alteration, beautifully integrated oak melding with the liqueur-like richness—an irresistible charmer!

In magnum.

The 2002 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is almost like a toned-down version of the 2001. It has a very similar bouquet of dried quince and white flowers, here armed with honeysuckle and white peach aromas. Not as complex as the 2001, though it is well defined. The palate is medium-bodied and more unctuous than expected, featuring more honey and peach, marmalade, almond and coconut. My main criticism is that it fades away on the finish and thus warrants earlier drinking than other vintages. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at home.