Revealing better balance as well as more elegance than the 2003, the 2002 offers copious amounts of sweet currant and cherry fruit intermixed with cedar and spice box. While neither flamboyant nor deep, it is a well-balanced, attractive effort to enjoy over the next 5-7 years.

At the southern end of the Medoc, this estate is run by Thierry Rustman of Chateau Talbot in Saint-Julien. With its dense fruit, sweet tannins and well-balanced acidity and dryness, this 2002 is a great success, still young but likely to develop well over 5 years.——R.V.(6/1/2005)—— 91