The Best 2002 Vintage Wines for 20th Anniversaries and Birthdays

Posted: 09/12/2022

Celebrate a 20th anniversary or celebration by giving the perfect bottle of a 2002 vintage wine. Read our 2002 wine guide to help celebrate any special occasion.

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20th Anniversary Wines

The 2002 vintage across the globe delivered up a number of wines from a variety of regions that are drinking wonderfully and will make for a perfect pairing for a celebration of your 20th anniversary of your marriage, your company founding or any other major event from your life. This is our worldwide round up of the 2002 vintage to help you better choose that celebratory wine.

Bordeaux

The reputation of the 2002 Bordeaux vintage relies heavily on the St-Estèphe, Pauillac, St-Julien and Margaux appellations on the Left Bank where Cabernet Sauvignon fared well. The 2002 wines are considered “classic” in character and structure and a number are still drinking quite well today.Additionally, Sauterne fared very nicely and the best examples will be drinking wonderfully today.

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Burgundy

Starting off cool, the growing season eventually warmed up and the most conscientious producers created outstanding reds that have survived well twenty years hence with their sturdy structures. Cote du Nuit reds performed particularly well.

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Champagne

The 2002 Champagnes turned out beautifully and are generally ranked among the top 5 vintages so far this century. The best of the vintage that have been cellared well are drinking wonderfully today.

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Rhone Valley

Affected by heavy rains, particularly in the South, the 2002 Rhone vintage was mixed to difficult. Most recommend sticking to the best producers from the North and you will find wines still drinking 20 years later.

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Italy

Across Italy in 2002 vintners witnessed very difficult conditions due largely to a consistently wet and cool growing season. Moreover, a number of growing regions were impacted and damaged by devastating hail. All things considered, Italy probably isn’t the place to look for your 20th anniversary wine.

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Germany

German vineyards delivered what many consider to be excellent wines from the 2002 vintage, particularly the semi-sweet to sweet wines as well as the coveted Eisweins. Many of these are still drinking beautifully 20 years later and should be pursued.

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California

The 2002 wines from the North Coast of California were outstanding. Both Napa Valley and Sonoma County vineyards enjoyed moderate weather conditions that led to uniform ripening. In all, North Coast Cabernets continue to drink well today. The same can be said for the best Sonoma County Pinot Noir, making for a perfect place to seek out wines to celebrate the 20th anniversary of nearly anything.

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Oregon

The 2002 vintage was kind to Oregon winemakers with near perfect weather throughout the growing season resulting in deeply flavored and balanced Pinot Noirs. Many of these wines were built to age wonderfully over the past 20 years and would be outstanding gifts or celebratory wines marking a 20 year anniversary.

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Australia

With slightly cooler weather than normal across Australian growing regions, the 2002 vintage in Australia produced still ripe, but relatively restrained wines that have proven to age well in many cases. Shiraz and red blend wines will be your best bet for celebratory wines from 2002.