Our first day sampling the embryonic 2024 wines included a Right Bank icon and insight from key critic, Lisa Perrotti-Brown.
2024 was the wettest year in Bordeaux in over 30 years and as a result this is one of the smallest vintages in modern times. With this key factor understood quality is the next key component and the En Primeur tastings are the first indicator. The first day revealed glimmers of excellence in a challenging vintage.
UGCB 2024 Tastings
We landed in Bordeaux with the sun shining to match our optimism at the start of a week tasting the region’s newest wines. The team headed straight to Hangar 14 Union de Grands Crus de Bordeaux tasting to warm up our palates and get a feel for what this vintage could truly bring.
Compared to the 2023 wines there was evidently less fruit intensity, but that was to be expected. We learned from many producers that rain at the wrong time caused difficulty for the 2024 vintage. But despite this, the determination of Bordeaux vignerons still provides glimmers of excellence.
We walked away from UGCB hopeful, after trying a variety of wines that showed promise from both the Left and Right Bank. Left bank stand-outs included Chateaux Haut-Batailley, Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Leoville Poyferre.
We moved swiftly onto our first Chateau visit of the week to the beautiful Nenin in Pomerol, where we were hosted in a private tasting of the Delon family’s collection of Nenin, Potensac, Clos du Marquis and Leoville Las Cases wines.
This further cemented our initial thoughts that 2024 will produce some outstanding wines. All four showcased individual qualities reflective of their terroirs, but a consistent balance of acidity and fruit intensity was evident.
Our hosts commented on some of the challenges to come in Bordeaux due to a changing climate, highlighting that in the next 10 years we could expect to see higher proportions of Cabernet (both Sauvignon and Franc) to mitigate against the challenges Merlot can face in wetter vintages.
Chateau Cheval Blanc 2024
The use of Cabernet Franc in blends on the Right Bank provided beautiful floral aromas, which became even more evident once we travelled to the legendary Chateau Cheval Blanc.
We were welcomed back to the Chateau by Arnaud de Laforcade, Director of Sales & Finance. As in previous visits, we were treated to a full tasting across Petit Cheval and Cheval Blanc wines.
Arnaud explained that fruit selection was key for this vintage, with 10% of total fruit being allowed to be affected by botrytis and disposed of, 20% of the harvest being under-ripe and unused, so that just 70% of the best grapes could thrive. This goes against what Cheval Blanc would usually have to do, highlighting the difficulty of 2024.
After tasting the wines, the skill and resources employed at this Right Bank icon was clear, as both the Petit Cheval and Grand Vin were excellent. Production levels were approximately 30% down on the abundant 2023 vintage, bringing the yield back closer to the current average. The 2024s are scarcer year-on-year but without compromise on quality.
Meeting critic Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Lastly, we visited Chateau Barde-Haut where we were hosted by the wonderfully energetic Hélène. We were fortunate to taste through verticals of vintages 2024, 2023, 2022, 2015 and 2014 and to meet the world-renowned critic, Lisa Perotti-Brown, there.
Having the opportunity to share her insight after tasting Bordeaux 2024 over the last four weeks was a major highlight for our team.
A key take away, was her view that the importance of terroir was a major determinant this vintage and that those vineyards planted on limestone soils had an advantage. Chateaux with sandier soils may be finding it more difficult to execute precise wines.
All in all, a great start to the team’s En Primeur 2024 tastings. For more information on investing in En Primeurs and to register your interest in this year’s campaign speak to our expert team on 0203 384 2262.