En Primeur 2024

A blend of 48% Cabernet Franc, 48% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2024 Château Cheval Blanc is one of the stars of the vintage. Unwinding in the glass with notes of minty berries and plums mingled with violets, cigar wrapper and rose petals, it's medium-bodied, suave and complete, with a cool, layered core of fruit, beautifully integrated tannins and a long, aromatic finish. Pierre-Olivier Clouet and his team conducted an aggressive green harvest and also, exceptionally, used densimetric sorting to mitigate heterogenous maturity between and within bunches (a consequence of a protracted flowering), accepting losses to rot in pursuit of full maturity. Yields were 39 hectoliters per hectare at harvest, but some 34% of that was eliminated between sorting and press wine (which is never retained at Cheval Blanc). Of what fermented, however, 70% ended up in the grand vin.

Score: 94 - 96 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com

The 2024 Cheval Blanc was picked from September 18 until October 3 and aged entirely in new oak with a little dabbling in concrete tanks and amphorae. The purity on the nose is the first facet that you notice with perfumed black cherry, blackcurrant, wild strawberry and touches of potpourri and crushed stone. There is certainly some mineralité here. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly brittle tannins. Very well balanced, this is clearly a Cheval Blanc built in a more elegant, sapid, linear style with a residual pepperiness that lingers in the mouth. It will need just 2 or 3 years in bottle and should drink well for 20 to 25 years. The 2024 is charming and refined.

Score: 93 - 95 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029-2050

A delicate smoky reduction followed by aromas of pear, spring blossoms and flowers introduces the 2024 La Clarté de Haut-Brion, a medium to full-bodied, sappy and layered wine with a fleshy palate due to its proportion of Sémillon, with a lively, saline texture. This is a blend of 64.5% Sémillon and 35.5% Sauvignon Blanc.

Score: 90 - 92 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2027 - 2039

The 2024 La Clarté de Haut-Brion has a malic nose with apple blossom and kiwi fruit scents emanating from the Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is fresh on the entry with crisp acidity. This is a simple Deuxième Vin Blanc that pulls up short on the finish. Early drinking.

Score: 86 - 88 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2031

Notes of sweet cassis, pencil shavings and creamy new oak introduce the 2024 Clerc Milon, a medium-bodied, taut and lively wine built around chalky tannins.

Score: 89 - 91 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com

The 2024 Clerc Milon was picked from September 24 to October 6 and raised in 55% new oak with just a little more Cabernet than previous years. It has a fragrant bouquet with blackberry, briar and light iodine scents that unfold nicely in the glass, though it's not as vigorous as the top vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with finely cut tannins. It has moderate weight and density, with a pleasing sweetness of fruit that comes through on the finish. This Clerc Milon has an appealing sense of composure and it should age well in bottle.

Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029-2055

The 2024 Clinet, incorporating a significant percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, is one of the denser, more muscular wines of the vintage, offering up aromas of blackberries, vanilla pod and creamy oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and extracted, it's tannic and lactic, with a chewy, Bourbon-inflected finish.

Score: 89 - 91 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com

The 2024 Clinet was picked from September 23 to October 4 at 38 hl/ha and matured in 60% new oak. The bouquet opens with red and black fruit, pencil shavings from the Cabernet and light tertiary scents in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. The oak is neatly integrated and benefits from slightly less new wood, which allows the terroir to show through. Cohesive toward the finish with decent length, this is a thoughtfully produced Clinet that will age well in bottle.

Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029-2050