A year of pleasant surprises. The long, rainy, cold winter lasted until June; July was mild and August hot. Ripening took longer than average and the vintage began a week later than usual. Maturity levels varied; picking was selective. Against the odds, fermentation was slow and the wines are riper and fuller than expected. Deep crimson even blood red in colour, the 2002 has an intense and complex nose of spicy red fruits and cedar with deeper plum notes. Generous red and black fruit characters follow through to the palate, combining with notes of Christmas cake spices, figs, dates and stewed plums. This richly-fruited wine shows good acidity, silky tannins and a long, promising finish. The Chateau Musar Red 2002 vintage was released in May 2009.