Bordeaux 2024 Wine Futures: What to Expect from the New Vintage?

At the dawn of the 2024 Bordeaux Wine Futures campaign, what key trends are starting to take shape? Discover the secrets of this eagerly awaited new vintage!

Every year, the kickoff of Bordeaux’s Wine Futures campaign marked by an intense week of tastings. Journalists, critics, and buyers from around the world gather to sample, analyze, and evaluate wines that are still aging. A major highlight of the wine calendar, this week gradually unveils the profile of the new vintage. As this year’s campaign is currently in full swing (from April 14 to 17), what can we say about the 2024 vintage?

2024 Vintage: Key Highlights

• Wines marked by freshness

• Lower alcohol levels

• Low yields due to historic climate challenges

• A vintage that is approachable young, yet offers great aging potential for sweet wines

• Prices expected to decline

• Very diverse styles across regions

A Year of Unprecedented Weather Conditions

The year 2024 will be remembered as one of the most unusual in recent French climate history. Paradoxically, it ranks among both the top ten wettest years and the top five hottest years ever recorded since 1900. These atypical conditions had significant impacts on the vineyards, resulting in a noticeable drop in yields.

This year’s weather pattern began with a mild winter accompanied by much higher-than-average rainfall over the last decade. Flowering occurred in June under favorable conditions—stable average temperatures and no rain. The summer, with gentle weather in July and August and slightly below-normal rainfall, posed only moderate stress on the vines. However, September brought a shift, with cooler temperatures and more frequent rain, making harvest time particularly challenging.

The 2024 vintage in Bordeaux is shaping up to be a year of contrasts, where the expression of terroir is front and center. The sometimes-demanding climate led to variation between appellations and soil types, showcasing more than ever the skill and adaptability of the region’s winemakers.

2024: A Vintage Forged by the Determination of Winemakers

From the outset, the Bordeaux vineyards were under pressure—from downy mildew early in the season to botrytis just before harvest. These conditions raised concerns that the 2024 vintage might be underwhelming. Yet thanks to the unwavering dedication of the winemakers, quality has truly prevailed.

Despite the many challenges faced throughout the year, 2024 is full of promise, as perfectly summarized by Château Cos d’Estournel, a prestigious estate in Saint-Estèphe:

“The 2024 vintage, marked notably by the vineyard team’s relentless efforts and late ripening, was a real balancing act. The incredible resilience of our terroir, combined with the maturity of the vines, allowed us to nurture a vintage that is ultimately full of promise. We are very proud to present a vintage of great subtlety.”
— Michel Reybier, owner of Cos d’Estournel

Driven by the richness of the terroirs, the expertise of the teams, and their ability to adapt, the 2024 vintage is shaping up to deliver high-quality wines, marked by freshness, balance, and aromatic intensity.

Vintage Report: What Will the 2024 Wines Be Like?

In contrast to previous sun-drenched vintages, this fresh-leaning vintage seems to match the current expectations of wine lovers: less power, more finesse, lower alcohol, and greater early accessibility.

2024 Red Wines: Fresh and Subtle

The red wines of 2024 stand out for their natural freshness and vibrant red fruit aromas. From the first sip, they show a delicate structure, with fine, well-integrated tannins—less imposing than in previous vintages. This fruit-forward profile, coupled with low alcohol levels (around 12%), makes for very drinkable and youth-friendly wines.

Merlots shine with expressive fruit, smooth tannins, and energetic finishes supported by bright acidity. Their profile emphasizes red fruit freshness and charm, backed by moderate to very fine structure.

Cabernets add body and length to the blend. Their tannins, while present, are supple and support a riper flavor palette, with dark berries and soft spices, depending on the terroir.

2024 Dry Whites: Intense and Vibrant

The dry white wines promise real successes. Most cuvées display expressive aromatics, dominated by zesty citrus notes, with a crisp acidity that imparts notable freshness and energy.

2024 Sweet Wines: The Perfect Balance of Brightness and Richness

The 2024 vintage looks especially promising for sweet wines. The climatic conditions encouraged intense aromatic expression, with fruity aromas and remarkable freshness. On the palate, power and vibrant acidity come together in perfect harmony, resulting in well-balanced wines with excellent aging potential.

Bordeaux 2024 Wine Futures: What About the Prices?

The release of Bordeaux Wine Future prices typically begins a few days or weeks after the official tasting week hosted by the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux. Gradually, estates reveal their pricing, setting the tone for the campaign. But what should we expect for this vintage?

In a context of inflation and economic slowdown, both consumers and investors are treading carefully. Prices are therefore expected to continue the downward trend seen with the previous vintage. Inventory buildup among importers, distributors, négociants, and wine merchants has contributed to price reductions for many fine wines. In this climate, it’s likely that estates will aim for more attractive pricing for the 2024 vintage—despite the small harvest volumes.