Pale to medium gold colored, the 2002 d'Yquem strides confidently out of the glass with forthright notions of spiced pears, baked pineapple, apricot preserves and orange blossoms with touches of graham crackers, praline, ginger nut and lemon curd. The palate lends an understated earthy/savory character with seamless freshness and a satiny texture paving the long, perfumed finish. Open-knit, expressive and yet still packing some primary fruit flavors, this vintage has entered its drinking window for those who love Yquem while it still possesses bags of vivacity. Five to seven more years in bottle should begin to yield more of the toffee, toasted nuts and savory elements for those who love that more evolved phase. The alcohol this vintage is 14%, while the residual sugar is 129.4 grams per liter, and the total acidity is 4.5 grams per liter of H2SO4.

93 points, Wine Advocate (August 2019)

Served from an ex-chateau bottle. The 2002 Chateau d’Yquem has a delightful bouquet with scents of dried honey, marzipan and melted candle wax. It is not the most complex, but it has very good definition. The palate has a controlled, linear opening with fine acidity and a tightly wound spicy core. This 2002 has a slight bitter edge which lends it race and tension. However, there is a touch of austerity here, as if it is holding something back. You might describe this as a serviceable Yquem: everything in its right place, but refusing to let go. This is aYquem sans the ambition of other vintages and yet delicious all the same. Drink now-2035. Tasted March 2014.

93 points, Wine Advocate (June 2014)