(tasted on its finings) Bright medium ruby. Bright, pure, slightly medicinal aromas of black cherry, cassis and licorice. High-pitched, medicinal and minerally in the mouth, with penetrating acidity framing and lifting the wine's fruit. More powerful than the 2001 but a bit stunted in its current stage of evolution. Offers strong potential.

The 2002 Léoville-Poyferré has a light and airy bouquet of blackberry, wild hedgerow, raspberry and tobacco, open-knit and not as intense as the previous two vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with a tart cherry tinged entry, quite ferrous but balanced, just a little dryness creeping in towards the linear, slightly austere finish. Drink this fine 2002 Saint-Julien over the next 8-10 years. Tasted at the Léoville-Poyferré vertical at the château with Sara Lecompte Cuvelier.

This wine has completely shut down since it’s been bottled but exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color, high levels of tannin, and sweet, noble black currant fruit intermixed with some licorice, espresso roast, and pain grille. In the vernacular, it is closed for business, with medium to full body, high levels of tannin, and good acidity in a more structured, classic style than the 2003. This is a big, traditionally made wine to forget for a good 5-8 years. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020.