(tasted sur colle Bright medium ruby. Aromas of black fruits, violet, cedar and mint, with a light leafiness. Very suave in the mouth, with a sweetness and softness that belie its very high (82%) cabernet content. This boasts impressive inner-mouth flavor and a distinctive mineral quality. No doubt even brighter than it's showing on its finings. Lovely Ducru in the making.

Aromas of tobacco, currant and cigar box follow through to a full body, with silky, refined tannins and a clean, focused finish. Caressing and very pretty. Coming together now. Best after 2010. 17,500 cases made. — JS

It is good to see this wine showing much better from bottle than it did from barrel, where it had a certain leanness and herbaceousness. There is still a hint of dried herbs in the classy nose of red and black currants, cedar wood, and spice box. The wine has a deep ruby/purple-tinged color, excellent density, and medium body in an elegant style with a hint of road tar and sweet fruit. It should drink well young but age nicely for 12-15 years. Make no mistake about it, it has nowhere near the size, dimension, power, and intensity of the 2003. Of course, this estate is now being run by Bruno Borie, the eldest son of the late Jean-Eugene Borie. He replaced his younger brother, Xavier Borie, who remains fully responsible for Grand-Puy-Lacoste and Haut-Batailley.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #158, Apr 2005)

The nose is a little disjointed, quite savoury and smoky, lacking the purity of some of the other so-called Super Seconds. The palate is full-bodied, ripe, tannic and chewy with a leafy, slightly green finish. I think there are far superior Ducru’s than the ’02. Tasted October 2009.