2002 Napa Valley

The 2002 Napa Valley growing season was up-and-down, hot-and-cool, with a warm September ultimately delivering concentrated wines built to impress hedonists. Compared to the structured, powerful, savory 2001 Napa Valley Cabs, 2002 produced opulent, unabashedly fruity wines of bold richness.

Warm temperatures at the end of March led to an early bud burst, but thankfully, the temperatures held, keeping frost at bay. May was relatively cool, with highs in the mid-70s Fahrenheit. Then June, July, and August brought cool to moderate temperatures with intermittent heat spikes of over 100 degrees F. Finally, September came good with the necessary heat and sunshine to push the Cabernets to flavor and phenolic ripeness. Harvest occurred from late September through mid-October.

2002 fell within that period of the noughties when Napa producers were pushing the ripeness envelope. This, as much as the latter part of the growing season, accounts for the generous style of the vintage. Many of the wines have reached their maturity peaks and are drinking beautifully now, while a few lauded names have not aged quite so well and are in decline.