2002
Château La Mission Haut-Brion Rouge
tasting notes
The freshness of color, a rather dense purple makes one think
of a year both vigorous and full-flavoured.
In the mouth the structure of the wine reveals itself at once.
The ripe tannins are immediately noticeable quickly
giving way to sensations of smooth full-flavour.
This is a well-balanced wine within a rather rigid framework.
The wood is present though not in excess.
Progressively the delicate and silky richness emerges but without
blotting out the bittersweet trace of the well dissolved tannins.
The weather
The year was very dry, but the low rainfall was well spread out and ensured that the vines received the regular amounts of water they needed. A slightly cool summer delayed ripening, but conditions became ideal for harvesting from the 9th of September onward: relatively hot, sunny days, and an unusual north-easterly wind for the season. The grapes for the white wine, followed by the red, reached the vat room in perfect condition, without being touched by a single drop of rain.
A few figures
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Harvest Dates
From September 23rd to October 8th
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Blend
Merlot: 52 %
Cabernet Sauvignon: 48% -
New barrels
66%
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Alcohol
13%
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Bottling date
From June 8th to 14th 2004
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