Harvested 19th-24th September: A very distinctive nose of spice and cinnamon. The fruit is gorgeous, very round. This is a really harmonious well-balanced wine with a silky, supple mouth coating texture. Drinking beautifully now, I expect the 2002 will hold for years because of its balance.

As it almost always is in its youth, this is a linear wine but the ’02 ratchets up the minerality and that sense of almost exacting precision and detail. The tannins are not quite as firm as those of the Taillepieds yet here there is another level of elegance and purity with absolutely perfect harmony and a subtle, understated, almost Zen-like reserve. In short, this is a classic Clos des Ducs that will rival such memorable vintages as 1978, 1985, 1991 1993, 1996 and 1999. If you love Clos des Ducs, don’t miss the ’02. Drink 2010-20.

Good medium red. Sexy fresh red berries, balsamic mint and a cool menthol quality on the nose. Incredibly backward for 2002 but already shows outstanding sweetness of red berry fruit complicated by tobacco and black olive tapenade. Powerful, palate-staining Clos des Duc with a serious spine of tannins and acidity. Jacques d'Angerville vinified the 2002s and son Guillaume bottled them after his father's death in 2003.

(13.6% alcohol) Medium red. Reserved but very ripe aromas of dark fruits, menthol and mint; shows a distinctly darker character than the Taillepieds. Spicy, powerful and consistent, with intriguing notes of sous-bois and leather. Best today on the explosive, spicy, slow-building finish, which shows terrific breadth and serious but thoroughly silky tannins.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 30/06/2004 Complex aromas of flowers, stones, and an assortment of red fruits can be found in the nose of the 2002 Volnay Clos des Ducs. It bursts forth with supple, lush red cherries and strawberries. Medium-bodied, and engaging, its core of fruit leads the taster to a firm finish with rugged tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2018. ()

Complex aromas of flowers, stones, and an assortment of red fruits can be found in the nose of the 2002 Volnay Clos des Ducs. It bursts forth with supple, lush red cherries and strawberries. Medium-bodied, and engaging, its core of fruit leads the taster to a firm finish with rugged tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2018. Importer: Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines Company., New York, NY; tel. (212) 419-1400

Very earthy nose with a hint of horse manure and black truffle. Backward and tannic on the palate, it seems a little forced compared to the others. Sour cherry on the finish. Very good, but I expected much more.