Very beautiful nectars were born during the 2002 vintage, which owes its success to the radical change in climatic conditions that proved favorable as the harvest approached. The month of September was indeed superb with beautiful sunny conditions, which allowed the ripening process to be in full swing and to offer berries of great quality.
Blend of the 2002 vintage: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.5% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc.
The robe is a very pretty intense red color with an elegant tint.
The nose reveals a very nice bouquet mixing very ripe forest fruits, blackcurrant cream and black olives, followed by nuances of blond tobacco, cocoa and clove.
The attack is meticulous, revealing a fleshy, dense and melting body with an airy dimension. The tannins are still finely chiseled, making it precise and balanced. Particularly fruity, with flavors of cooked fruit and black cherry, it blossoms gracefully on a long and racy finish.
Food and wine pairing:
Château Lafite Rothschild 2002 is a wonderful match for a mature rib of beef cooked on Medoc vine shoots, sliced venison with boletus, roast rack of lamb or boneless duck stuffed with foie gras and gingerbread.
For a pairing with cheeses, choose uncooked pressed cheeses such as morbier with truffles, Saint-Nectaire, cantal and matured mimolette.
Finish it off with a delicious chocolate dessert: a praline crunch, a chocolate-raspberry bavarois or Pierre Hermé's carrément chocolat.
Ageingpotential and tasting:
Château Lafite Rothschild 2002 in magnum can still wait 10 years in the cellar to reveal its full potential, the large capacity of the bottle indeed giving it more aging potential.
It can nevertheless be fully appreciated today, by opening the bottle the day before in the tasting room so that it can acclimatize to the room temperature.
The bottles will be kept in the cellar protected from the light, lying down, at an optimal hygrometric degree of 70%.
