En Primeur Bordeaux 2024

The 2024 Beychevelle might very well be the wine of the vintage in Saint-Julien. It is certainly among the very best I tasted on the Left Bank. Plush, inky and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2024 is so silky and inviting. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, mocha and spice are some of the many notes that stain the palate. The sustained, resonant finish is a thing of beauty. Tasted two times.

Score: 95 - 97 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2032-2054

The 2024 Branaire-Ducru is a super-classic Branaire. Medium in body and gracious, the 2024 is defined by its lifted aromatics and silky, polished tannins. The proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon is especially high in 2024, a sign that the fruit harvested on the later side benefited from better conditions, namely a lack of rain. The 2024 possesses lovely purity and exquisite balance. Floral top notes and a burst of red-toned fruit reappear on the finish to round things out in style. It will be especially fine if élevage softens the contours. This is a fine effort from proprietor Francois-Xavier Maroteau and longtime winemaker Jean-Dominique Videau. Tasted two times.

Score: 92 - 94 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2032-2049

Lovely bright plum colour, slim blue and black fruits, coffee bean and cedar oak notes, carefully constructed with balance, a little short on the finish compared to the excellent recent vintages at Branaire. 55% new oak. 41.5 hl/ha, this is the first vintage with the new cellars, François-Xavier Maroteaux owner and new president of the Union de Grands Crus de Bordeaux.

Score: 91 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2030-2042

The 2024 Clos du Marquis is a very pretty, aromatic Saint-Julien. Crushed flowers, mint, lavender, white pepper and slate give the 2024 an attractive upper register to match its mid-weight, nervy personality. There is a bit of dryness on the finish that hopefully will be resolved with élevage.

Score: 90 - 92 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2026-2036

Bright vivid plum character, sappy and juicy, the austerity is pretty high with cloves and smoky black tea, elderflower, cherry pit. Needs time in bottle to really open up, but this is good quality, and has plenty of St Julien character. 32hl/ha yield. 50% new oak, with some larger oak casks. 3.62 pH, 32 hl/ha. 7.6% press wine. Harvest 25 September to 10 October.

Score: 91 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2030-2042

The 2024 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a sleek, elegant wine. Silky tannins give the 2024 its distinctly mid-weight, lithe personality. Readers will find a gracious Ducru built more on persistence and nervy tension than size or opulence. Blue/black fruits, lavender, cloves, menthol and chocolate open over time. It will be fascinating to see how this ages.

Score: 94 - 96 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2034-2054

A gorgeously vivid, lifted nose, with floral aromatics, dark berry and cassis fruits, fleshy but understated, elegant and finessed, squid ink, sandalwood, incense, maintains estate signature and is full of pleasure, 100% new oak for ageing, 3.8 pH. Harvest 23 September to 7 October.

Score: 95 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2032-2048

The 2024 Gloria is soft, fruity and very easy to like. Sweet red cherry/plum fruit, rose petal, lavender and mocha are nicely pushed forward. Gloria is very nicely balanced. It's a real charmer in 2024.

Score: 89 - 91 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2026-2034

Medium to full intensity deep plum colour, lovely spice, textured graphite, pumice, powerful and sculpted bright fruits, this is thoroughly enjoyable, a real success in a vintage.Triaud family owners, 34 hl/ha yield.

Score: 93 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2030-2042