Bordeaux 2024 is a vintage that caught us by surprise – in the best way.
What began in uncertainty moved quickly, with early releases from Ch. Batailley and Pontet-Canet followed closely by Lafite, Angélus, and others. A short, sharp burst of energy that defined the campaign. Most importantly, pricing landed where it needed to – and held. In many cases, reductions of 15–35% compared to last year’s releases brought prices close to 2014 levels, making this a genuine opportunity for drinking, cellaring, and investment.
The wines themselves are fresh, elegant, and classically styled – medium-bodied clarets with clarity, drinkability, and charm, often in the 12s for alcohol. This is proper claret: wine you can enjoy young, but which still reflects its terroir with real precision. As Alexandre Thienpont at Vieux Château Certan put it, “The sort of wine you’d have with a poulet rôti, and still go and do things in the afternoon.”
But not every château thrived. The vintage laid bare the difference between those who could afford to respond, and those who couldn’t. It’s a year where knowing where to look – and having trusted advice – matters more than ever.
For international buyers, the combination of style and value will appeal – think along the lines of 2017, 2013, or 2012. For those building a cellar or seeking future liquidity, 2024 has all the hallmarks of a vintage to watch.
This is not a campaign for the trophy shelf – it’s one for the lunch table. And in the right hands, it’s seriously good.
