En Primeur Bordeaux 2024

The 2024 d'Armailhac is a very beautiful wine. Dark, layered and intensely aromatic, the 2024 is so expressive. The percentage of Cabernet Franc from 60+ year-old vines is high in this vintage, and that very much comes through in the wine's perfume and saline intensity. All the elements are so well integrated. Dark red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, cedar and new leather explode on the finish. Tasted two times.

Score: 90 - 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2032-2044

Lovely deep plum colour, this has some chalky tannins, good depths of cassis and greengage fruits, with the real floral edge of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon, that savoury, precise, elegant side, enjoyble with salinity and lift on the finish, Here the longer stretch of drought than normal of rainfall from end of June to mid September. Harvest began September 25 though to October 8, 3.69 pH. 50% new oak.

Score: 92 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2029-2040

72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Lively and fresh on the nose. Bright and digeste. A little light on the mid palate but has structure and form. (JL) 12.9%

Score: 16 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2030 – 2040

The 2024 Batailley is a wild, exotic wine. Kirsch, menthol, blood orange and white truffle race across the palate, framed with a kiss of French oak that works well in this style. Floral notes resonant on the juicy finish. This approachable, open-knit Pauillac is a delight.

Score: 91 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029-2044

The 2024 Batailley was picked from September 2—considerably earlier than other estates—until October 5. This was raised in 57% new oak barrels. It has an open-knit bouquet with blackberry, briar, mocha and graphite scents that emerge with time. This is finely delineated while keeping the typical Batailley style. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine tannins and touches of pencil lead and black pepper leading to the cohesive, lightly grippy finish. The nicely composed 2024 should give 20 years of drinking pleasure.

Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029-2049

The 2024 Carruades de Lafite is plush, sensual and inviting right out of the gate. Soft contours wrap around a core of plum, black cherry, gravel, incense, licorice and baking spice. This is a rare Carruades that is Merlot-driven. It's a balance that works quite well. This showy, inviting Carruades is quite the charmer

Score: 91 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029-2044

Gorgeous deep plum colour, very juicy, extremely well handled, savoury and mouthwatering, cassis bud, roses, crayon, shorter on the finish than a typical Carruades, but this has plenty of subtle pleasure and will be ready to drink sooner than usual. Harvest 23 September to 7 October, 32hl/h yield, 47% of the harvest is in this wine, 12% press.

Score: 92 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2029-2040

45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 32 hl/ha. First vintage certified organic. Cask sample. Flattering fruit on the palate, the Merlot adding a little more weight. Acidity present all the same so there is freshness. Firm structure, the tannins punchy. Will benefit from élevage. (JL) 12.6%

Score: 16 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2030-2040

The 2024 Clerc Milon is packed with blue/purplish fruit, lavender, sage, dried flowers and mocha. Juicy and forward, Clerc Milon has a lot to recommend it. Time in the glass brings out gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon savoriness to complement the wine's mid-weight structure. Lovely. Tasted two times.

Score: 91 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029-2039

Excellent quality, well defined, you see the grip of the terroir here, and the floral edge of Cabernet and Carmanère, with its spicy side, and beautiful lift. Clearly needs time to full open, this has the cassis, cigar box and leather feel of a great old school Pauillac. Lovely. Harvest 24 September to 6 October. 3.72 pH. 55% new oak.

Score: 94 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2030-2045

6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carmenère and 1% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Reticent nose. Firm, dry extract with quite a bit of extraction. Chewy and firm on the finish. Lacks a little juice. Not quite together yet. (JL) 13%

Score: 15.5 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2030-2042

The 2024 Duhart-Milon opens with strong Cabernet Sauvignon inflections. Blue-toned fruit, lavender, spice and dried herbs open first, all framed by brisk acids and supporting tannins that lend shape. The 2024 includes 14% press wines, about the norm here. This is a very promising Duhart.

Score: 91 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2030-2042

Shows density and balance, with leafy but fragrant aromatics that unfurl slowly, and bright acidity that is not overpowering to the blueberry and blackcurrant fruits. The skill of the Lafite team is clear here, and this is a classically balanced Duhart that will age well. Harvest September 25 to October 4, 32hl/h yield, above the Pauillac average. Moulin de Duhart is not being sold En Primeur.

Score: 92 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2029-2040

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot. 32 hl/ha. First vintage certified organic. Cask sample. Aromatic and fresh with red-berry aromas but a little lean, the acidity present. Light but fine tannins. A little strict on the finish and unusually forward. (JL) 12.5%

Score: 16 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2029-2038