WTN: Disappointing Leoville Las Cases

[Jenise]

2002 Château Léoville Las Cases St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
Rather disappointed. Decanted two hours before dinner (note, no sediment), saw no evolution in that time. Nose is tight, lacks opulence and promise. Palate's tight and thin, lacks fruit. Finish is tight, lacks length. All in all more like a decent Bord Sup than a 2nd growth. Not damaged, just not much there.

[David M. Bueker]

Hmph...If I had a backhoe and a bunch of teamsters I would grab one of mine for a compare.

[Jenise]

Wish you would! Other recent reports on CT are inconclusive. Some far better, some similar.

[David M. Bueker]

Probably has to wait until fall at this point.

I don't have a lot of experience with 2002 Bdx, but I did have a very positive experience with Pontet Canet years ago, and am holding Leoville Barton for an anniversary (it's my wife and I's wedding vintage).

[Jenise]

I didn't buy much '02. I'd gone big on '01, which I believed in more. And '02s were just the few that fell into my lap, like these.

I'm more a fan of '01 as well, but '02s can be solid (if seldom exciting) and were comparatively cheap (dollar/euro, plus low demand as Parker never reviewed)
I'm not as big an LLC fan as most in general, but to be fair they can take a long time to come around, and have extended closed periods, so wouldn't be shocked if closed down at 18.

[Jenise]

I think the only other notable 02's I have are Lafite and Montrose.

I have opened a couple of bottles of Talbot 02, the second of which I considered a very good example of fragrant St.Julien about a year ago. I liked a previous bottle much less in 2016 when I complained about a metallic streak in the acidity. Was that bottle variation or did 3 extra years make all the difference?

I see that I also have one bottle left of Pontet-Canet 02, the previous having been opened as long ago as 2011.

[Jenise]

Tim, you made me go look at my cellar; I spoke earlier off the top of my head AND I buy Pontet Canet almost every year, so was actually surprised to find out that no, I skipped that year. And almost everything else but LLC, Montrose and Lafite (solely because I came across them at Costco for $122 each.) Did have two Canon Le Gaffieres that were pretty nice earlier this year, though.