2002 Chateau Branaire Ducru
By Chateau Branaire Ducru
2002 Chateau Branaire Ducru from Chateau Branaire Ducru, St-Julien, Bordeaux
Wine connoisseurs are keenly aware that the early 2000s were a roller coaster for Bordeaux enthusiasts. Yet, despite the capricious whims of climate, the 2002 Chateau Branaire Ducru managed to harness this unpredictability into something quite extraordinary.
Resilience and Grace: A Profile of Patience
In the unpredictable crescendo of the 2002 season, it was up to the vine's fortitude and the vintner’s prowess to craft noteworthy wines. The 2002 Chateau Branaire Ducru emerges as a testament to this resilience. Demonstrating a poised structure reflective of its pedigree St-Julien terroir, it is a vintage that surpassed expectations, ripening steadily through an Indian summer that bestowed grace under pressure.
A Climate-Challenged Vintage with a Story to Tell
Complicated by spring frosts and a damp August, many feared for the worst in 2002. However, gentle September warmth salvaged what could have been lost, giving way to a blend graced by nature's eleventh-hour reprieve. The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon achieved a synchrony in this blend, elevating its quintessentially Bordelaise noble berry essence with terracotta undertones—a nod to both earth and vine.
This expression from Chateau Branaire Ducru defied odds and boasts a certain medium-bodied magnificence, rounded tannins whispering maturity yet suggesting endurance—a promising asset to refined portfolios.
Investment Merits Amidst Adversity
As one reflects on investment-worthy wines, the story of their emergence has weight. The 2002 Chateau Branaire Ducru spins a notable yarn of triumph over tumultuous climate, rendering it a compelling choice for investors seeking vignettes of victory in their collections. It encapsulates an era where attentive viticulture paved the way for an unexpected success, making its acquisition more than just a transaction—it becomes an acquisition of heritage and tenacity embodied in a bottle.
Succinctly put, this vintage exemplifies how skill can prevail over adversity; it narrates how timely human intervention can capture ephemeral environmental gifts. The 2002 Chateau Branaire Ducru stands as irrefutable evidence that even in less heralded years, there are narrative-rich vintages capable of outshining their temporal constraints. Thus, it is one of the astute selections for investors who appreciate wine with both character and history.
Market price (CAD)
$1,040.00
12x75cl
Highest score
90
POP score
62
Scores and tasting notes
The successful 2002 exhibits a beautiful, dense ruby/purple color, a lovely concoction of raspberries, cassis, flowers and licorice in the fragrant aromatics, medium to full body, surprising opulence for a 2002, and soft and supple tannin. A beauty, it is ideal for drinking now and over the next 15+ years.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 28 April 2005