The merlot yields—especially those from old vines—were seriously affected by coulure and, more notably, millerandage. One might have thought that a relatively low crop would allow the grapes to ripen under better conditions, but the fine weather arrived too late for the merlot, whose ripening was already compromised. Overall, its quality was disappointing.

On the other hand, the cabernets and the petit verdot fully benefitted from the Indian summer that so often defines very good, even great, vintages in Bordeaux. Their quality was, on the whole, remarkable.

Logically, our final blend includes very little merlot—one of the lowest proportions in our history. It is therefore a wine composed essentially of cabernet sauvignon: fine and pure, rich, tight-knit, and tender. It may lack some complexity and depth to be considered a great vintage. A very fine September weather can certainly make up for the essentials, but it cannot totally replace the ripeness gained during a glorious August. Today, Château Margaux 2002 has gained even more finesse, without losing any of that tight-knit tannic structure which promises excellent ageing. We recommend waiting ideally a few more years before opening it, even though it already offers considerable pleasure. (October 2025)