The 2002 Bordeaux vintage did not have an auspicious beginning.  In late March, a cold snap delayed the bud break. The flowering in late May and early June was uneven, taking place in mixed weather and spun out over a full month so that the fruit of many vines did not set at all. Many grapes suffered from poor or failed pollination. The summer remained cool and lacked sun. The most quality-conscious producers did their usual crop-thinning after flowering and performed a further green harvest in August to concentrate the remaining fruit and encourage the ripening process. Miraculously, warm temperatures and extensive sunshine arrived in mid-September, saving the vintage. With help from improved technical options and consistent effort throughout the year, Bordeaux’s top winegrowers managed fine results in this challenging vintage.