Château Cheval Blanc
This was a cool, wet, and not very sunny year. Yields were low. The wines show average concentration. They are full-bodied with crunchy black fruit and are early-maturing.
This was a cool, wet, and not very sunny year. Yields were low. The wines show average concentration. They are full-bodied with crunchy black fruit and are early-maturing.
Weather conditions and vine’s growing cycle
Temperatures and rainfall
The four first months of 2002 were mild and fairly dry. After a clement start to the month of May, the weather deteriorated during the last ten days of the month when a cool, wet period set in, which lasted until the 10th of June. July, August, and September were cool, with above-average rainfall in August. Dry weather returned in September. There was less sunshine than usual from May to the end of August.
Water balance
In order to grow well, the vine needs for water stress to set in slowly so the grapes to ripen well and become concentrated. The 2002 growing season was clearly challenging, with cool weather and above-average precipitation from May to August. Due to showers in August, water stress was relatively weak.
Growing season
Several phenomena had a major influence on the 2002 growth cycle. Although bud break was early (24th of March for Merlot and the 28th of that month for Cabernet Franc), flowering took place during the first week of June. This had been disturbed by cool, wet weather in late May and early June that caused coulure and millerandage, especially in Merlot. This obviously has an effect on the size of the crop, and explains the very low yields: just 23 hectolitres per hectare. Mid-flowering was also slightly delayed. This took place on the 9th of August for Merlot and one day later for Cabernet Franc. The cool, wet weather in August raised fears about quality. Fortunately, however, dry weather returned in September and saved the day.
The harvest was a little later than usual due to the cool temperatures. It lasted from the 20th of September to the 8th of October.
| Phenological stage | Merlot 2002 |
Average 1994-2014 | Cabernet franc 2002 |
Average 1994-2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bud break | March, 24th | March, 28th | March, 28th | 2 avril |
| Flowering | June, 2nd | May, 30th | June, 2nd | June, 1st |
| Véraison | August, 9th | August, 2nd | August, 10th | August, 8th |
| Beginning of the Harvest | September, 20th | September, 19th | October, 1st | September, 27th |
| End of the Harvest | September, 26th | September, 27th | October, 8th | October, 5th |
| Number of days between… | ||||
| Bud break and Flowering | 71 days | 63 days | 67 days | 60 days |
| Flowering and Véraison | 69 days | 64 days | 70 days | 68 days |
| Véraison and Harvest | 42 days | 48 days | 52 days | 50 days |
There were instances of grey rot in Merlot, but much less so in Cabernet Franc. The dry weather in September stopped the rot from spreading to any great degree. Rigorous sorting meant that only grapes in good condition were retained.
Features of the vintage
Ripening and yields
2002 produced low yields – the smallest crop since 1991. Quality was satisfactory for Merlot and fairly good for Cabernet Franc, which took advantage of the beautiful month of September. Despite the low yields, selection was draconian: only 40% of the crop went into the grand vin.
| 2002 yields (hl/ha) | Average from 1996 to 2014 | |
| Merlot | 29.3 | 38.9 |
| Cabernet Franc | 24.1 | 34.2 |
Cellar work
Including 4% press wine, 2002 Cheval Blanc was aged in 100% new oak barrels.
Blending
| Degree of alcohol | 13 |
|---|---|
| Total acidity (g H2 S04/L) | 3.3 |
| Volatile acidity (g H2 SO4/L) | 0.64 |
| pH | 3.59 |
| Total SO2 (mg/L) | 92 |
| Reducing sugar content (g/L) | 1.1 |
| IPT (DO280) | – |
Tasting
This vintage has aged elegantly and features surprising complexity and intensity. It is definitely a wine to discover or rediscover.
The colour is brilliant, dark, and medium-deep.
The nose is rather closed at present, but very pure. It shows plenty of fruit and a touch of liquorice with aeration. Blackcurrant, blackberry, and blueberry notes exist alongside smoky nuances from oak ageing. The wine has developed considerable class over time and the bouquet is ethereal, floral, complex, and intense.
The wine starts out quite round and rich on the palate. The smooth, silky texture complements its body and crunchy black fruit flavours. This vintage is strongly marked by polished tannin and beautiful balance. The elegant, long aftertaste reveals hints of liquorice.
However, it is difficult to know exactly how this vintage will develop over time. In fact, 2002 Cheval Blanc is a true surprise, and somewhat of a question mark at this stage. It is complex, intense, and refined.This vintage has aged elegantly and features surprising complexity and intensity. It is definitely a wine to discover or rediscover.
The colour is brilliant, dark, and medium-deep.
The nose is rather closed at present, but very pure. It shows plenty of fruit and a touch of liquorice with aeration. Blackcurrant, blackberry, and blueberry notes exist alongside smoky nuances from oak ageing. The wine has developed considerable class over time and the bouquet is ethereal, floral, complex, and intense.
The wine starts out quite round and rich on the palate. The smooth, silky texture complements its body and crunchy black fruit flavours. This vintage is strongly marked by polished tannin and beautiful balance. The elegant, long aftertaste reveals hints of liquorice.
However, it is difficult to know exactly how this vintage will develop over time. In fact, 2002 Cheval Blanc is a true surprise, and somewhat of a question mark at this stage. It is complex, intense, and refined.