En Primeur Bordeaux 2024

The 2024 Le Petit-Mouton is a dark, brooding wine. Dark red fruit, pomegranate, gravel, incense, leather and scorched earth contribute to a feeling of somber gravitas. Low yields, as measured by bunches per shoot, come through in the wine's density and power. The 13% alcohol is super-classic. The 2024 is shaping up to be a very serious wine.

Score: 90 - 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2036

Here you get that sexy Petit Mouton kick, defined by Cabernet, less exuberant profile than in recent years and yet great texture and lift, supple blackberry fruits, cocoa bean lacing. Very much succeeding in the vintage without compromising the heart of the estate signature. Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy director. Harvest 23 September to 5 October. 3.62 pH. 50% new oak.

Score: 93 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2029-2040

The 2024 Pichon Baron is a very sexy wine. Deep and layered on the palate, with fine depth, the 2024 exudes balance. Sumptuous black cherry, mocha, new leather, licorice, menthol, lavender and pine are all dialed up. There's gorgeous breadth and overall presence here. The Cabernet Sauvignon is quite high at 87%, but it is really the wine's balance that speaks loudest. Here, too, the reduction of new oak to 70% really helps the wine speak with precision.

Score: 94 - 96 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2034-2054

Majors on the fragrant, slim and precise side of Cabernet Sauvignon, waves of cassis bud, rose stems, tobacco leaf and a mouthwatering finish. Don't expect the intensity of 2022 or 2023 at this excellent Pauillac estate, and yet there is impact and slow build through the palate. One of the highest proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon on record, will be ready to drink within five to six years compared to the usual ten to 15. 3.71pH, 70% new oak for ageing, 52% of overall production in the first wine. Harvest 15 September to 10 October, Pierre Montegut technical director, Christian Seely CEO.

Score: 94 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2032-2048

87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot. 52% of the production. Cask sample. Deep colour to the rim. Fine nose with dark-fruit, pencil-lead and spice notes. Well structured, the tannins firm but softened by the fruit. Powerful but has a certain charm. (JL) 12.7%

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2032-2048

The 2024 Réserve de la Comtesse is a very racy, sexy wine. Crushed flowers, mint, lavender, new leather, mocha and spice all grace this exquisite, wonderfully nuanced Réserve. All the elements are so well balanced. Silky tannins add to the wine's total feeling of finesse, but the aromatics are just as inviting. Tasted three times.

Score: 91 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2028-2039

Unusually austere on the opening for this highly consistent wine, but things builds slowly but surely, expanding through the mid palate to show chalk, crayon, cassis and cocoa bean, grilled herbs. 48% of overall production in the Pichon Comtesse Reserve, 3.7 pH. IPT 65, 50% new oak for ageing, 15% press wine.

Score: 92 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2028-2038

The 2024 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is plush, sensual and inviting. Succulent dark-toned fruit, sweet spice, new leather, mocha, chocolate and lavender build nicely. Here, too, the tannins are so polished, so refined. The 2024 is an especially elegant Pichon-Comtesse. It’s also very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Bravo. Tasted four times.

Score: 94 - 96 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2034-2054

Fragrant cassis bud, rose petals, and peony. Great definition, mouthwatering on the finish, savoury blue and black fruits, less concentration than the past few vintages, but this uses slate textured tannins, cold ash smoke and well-judged salinity to compensate and build interest and engagement. Harvest September 22 through to October 9. 66% new oak. Low yields of around 30hl/h. 16% press wine, 52% of the overall production (with the rest in Pichon Comtesse Reserve, no 3rd wine). 3.7 pH. IPT 70,

Score: 94 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2032-2044

83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Bright and fresh on the nose. Refined texture and tannins. Juicy fruit with adequate freshness. Firm and long on the finish. Structured, if a little light on the mid palate. (JL) 13%

Score: 16.5 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2032-2050

The 2024 Pontet-Canet is one of the most elegant wines I have tasted here in some time, as in a long time. Brisk acids and beams of tannin shape a mid-weight, classically built Pontet-Canet unlike any I have tasted. The 2024 is not an obvious wine, it does not have the opulence of most recent years, rather it is a wine that impresses with its energy, tension and class. Floral, spice and mineral notes stain the palate in this vibrant, beautifully sculpted Pontet-Canet. The 2024 is seriously impressive, but it is also less immediate than what was once the norm because of a shift towards a style that favors greater energy and vibrancy than in the recent past. The evolution here is going to be fascinating to follow in the coming years. Tasted three times.

Score: 94 - 96 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2032-2044

Vibrant ruby in colour with violet edging, this is beautifully measured, with a careful release of black fruits. Puts the focus on the floral side of Cabernet Sauvignon on the aromatics, with rose petals, chamomile, fragrant tomato leaf and lilac. There is austerity on the opening, with tight architecture but as it opens juice begins to flow through the pumice and slate-textured tannins, and this delivers a finessed, slim-style of Pauillac, with plenty of ageing potential and quiet confidence. Harvest September 26 through to October 11. 3.8ph, 50% new oak, 35% concrete amphoras. One of the successes of the vintage. Tasted twice.

Score: 94 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2032-2046

52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Certified organic and biodynamic (Demeter, Biodyvin). Cask sample. Deep purple colour. Purity and depth of fruit on the nose. Cherry and fruit frais notes. Some sweetness on the palate. Firm tannins but wrapped in generous fruit. A certain power but not overcharged. (JL)

Score: 16.5 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2030-2045