The Weather

The growing season began with the wettest winter since 2000 (over 1000mm of rain from October 2023 to April 2024 reported Domaines Lafite Rothschild) which delayed pruning and triggered the early onset of mildew. A brief summer heatwave in late August thickened the grape skins but slowed their sugar development. September 2024 was rainy causing some botrytis issues. Fortunately, dry, sunny weather returned to complete the ripening.

Wine Production

Quality Variability: Terroir and vineyard management were critical, especially for those with organic certification. Well-drained gravel soils outperformed waterlogged clay areas, producing wines with fresh acidity, aromatic complexity, vibrant red fruits and refined tannins. 2024 is the smallest harvest since 1991, averaging 35hl/ha, down from 42hl/ha in 2023.

Sorting and selection at reception was key, whether by hand or using optical/densiometric sorters to remove imperfect berries. The results were noticeable in the finished wine quality.

Chaptalization: Many winemakers, including premier grand crus, added sugar to boost alcohol levels to 13%, a practice largely abandoned in recent times - to balance acidity and structure.

Saignée and gentle extraction: Some reduced their juice to skin ratios to concentrate their musts, others used a proportion of pressed wine. A gentle extraction was favoured for this vintage.

Élevage: A mixture of amphorae, barrique and foudre oak barrels. There was less new oak than usual used.

Cabernet Resilience: Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc saved the vintage in many cases, generally offering better phenolic maturity than Merlot which was more prone to coulure (poor fruit set). Lafite, Montrose, Carmes Haut Brion, Vieux Chateau Certan, Canon, and Figeac were standouts this year. There are many oher well made wines too.

The dry whites: An excellent vintage for the dry Sauvignon and Semillon dominant wines with normal yields. More citrus than tropical fruit flavours with fresh floral aromas. Those from the Graves and Pessac were especially attractive, with the usual stars excelling, such as Haut Brion, Smith Haut Lafitte, and Domaine de Chevalier.

Sauternes and Barsac:  The dry and sweet wines were delicious, medium bodied and quite concentrated. Suduiraut, Coutet, and Guiraud were among our favourites.

Market Pressures

En Primeur Uncertainty: The 2024 campaign faces headwinds from an oversupply of previous vintages and U.S. tariffs potentially threatening 15% of Bordeaux’s exports.

Financial Strain: Négociants and producers grapple with high inventory costs and rising production expenses (e.g., barrels up 10% annually).

Shift to Premiumization: Despite the challenges, top estates like Léoville Las Cases, Lynch Bages and Palmer, have invested heavily on rigorous selection and innovation (e.g., biodynamic practices, new cellars).

Changing tastes: Consumers and investors are more cautious when buying en primeur and choosing the styles they desire.

Bordeaux 2024 was not just a ‘winemaker’s vintage’, it demanded meticulous work in the vineyard and adaptability.  Several critics describe it as being superior to vintages like 2021, 2014, 2013, and 2008. We won’t compare because every property has their own story to tell. Those who put the work in usually made better wines, even when compared to great vintages like 2022 and 2019. While yields are historically low, the best wines have the balance and finesse to enjoy young or to age for the mid-term. We advise consumers to buy the brilliant whites and carefully choose from our fine red recommendations.