En Primeur 2024

The 2024 Angelus is very fine. It is the first vintage I have tasted that captures the newer approach at Angelus, one where the wines are not as extracted as in the past. Black cherry, plum, spice, new leather and menthol fill out the layers effortlessly. Here, too, the wine shows superb balance and real textural presence. The blend is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, with the Merlot being raised in 80% new oak and 20% once-filled barrels, and the Cabernet Franc in equal parts foudres and new smaller French oak barrels. The 2024 is mid-weight, classy and polished.

Score: 93 - 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2030-2054

Vivid plum colour, cedar and gunsmoke on the opening, skilfully and carefully put together, slim through the palate, but this is very clearly finessed, sleek, with quiet confidence, and pumice stone texture, cherry pit, squid ink, damson, rosebud, Cabernet Franc dominant in terms of its floral aromatics. 39hl/h yield, 40th anniversary vintage of Hubert de Böuard. This will for sure be ready to drink earlier than many vintages of Angélus, but it is well structured and will age for many years to come. No chaptilisation.

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

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

The 2024 Ausone is pure sensuality. Intensely perfumed, pliant and silky on the palate, Ausone is haunting in its beauty. All the elements are so well balanced. Black cherry, lavender, mocha, espresso and exotic spice overtones all take shape in the glass. A wine of understated depth, the 2024 is impressive. Even in the early going, the 100% new oak is not at all evident, suggesting a wine with superior balance. The blend is 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot.

Score: 93 - 96 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2034-2054

The 2024 Ausone was picked between September 30 and October 5. It aged for 20 months in new French oak from 5 cooperages with malo in barrel as usual. There is slightly less Merlot in the blend due to mildew and coulure during the season. It has a very pure nose with black cherry, wild strawberry and a touch of cracked black pepper in the background. It just misses some of the profound complexity that a top Ausone can deliver. The palate is lovely, though, one of the most velvety 2024s that I tasted out of barrel. This is very harmonious with a focused and sustained finish. Whilst it doesn't quite have the horsepower or sheer ambition of a top-drawer Ausone, this is a success for the vintage simply because it is endowed with greater substance and persistence. There's presence here.

Score: 93 - 95 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029-2055

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 Beauséjour is a wine that perfectly embodies the style of the year. A Saint-Émilion with no hard edges and exquisite balance, Beauséjour is an absolute delight. Dark-toned fruit, lavender, menthol and espresso open first, followed by a kick of savory Franc overtones that lend energy. Fine, polished tannins support the subtle yet understated finish. Beauséjour is one of the more delicate 2024s in Saint-Émilion, but there is no lack of depth. The blend is 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, with 7% press wines.

Score: 92 - 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029-2049

The 2024 Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse was picked from September 23 to October 7 at 28 hl/ha. It will age in 40% new oak for a planned 14 to 16 months. Significantly, this is the first vintage to be vinified in their new vat room equipped with smaller vats. It requires 10 to 15 minutes to open up, which allows the wild strawberry, blackcurrant, briar and light chalky aromas to emerge from the glass. This is not powerful, though certainly precise and well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant and supple tannins. It is very balanced, with an edginess on the back palate and a deft hint of black pepper toward the finish. This feels longer than its peers. The 2024 is a succinct Saint-Émilion that attests to the numerous improvements in the vineyard and winery.

Score: 93 - 95 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2030-2065