The past two weeks have seen a further flurry of Bordeaux 2024s enter the market, with key entries including first growths, Mouton Rothschild and Haut-Brion. Of the 47 wines we’ve covered so far in the 2024 campaign, average UK release prices are down 21% on the 2023 and down 38% on the 2022, with many châteaux pricing their 2024s below all previous back vintages.

Monday 12th May saw the latest entry from Léoville-Barton, whose 2024 was released at a 14% discount on the 2023 (at £48.10). Clos Fourtet followed, entering 27% below the 2023 and sitting below all back vintages on the market (£51).

The Baron Philippe de Rothschild stable was released on Tuesday 13th May, with first growth, Mouton Rothschild, coming onto the market at £253.50 (25% down on the 2023, below all back vintages). Technical Director, Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy, told us that due to variability in the grapes' ripeness, this was the first time the estate used density baths to separate the grapes into two different batches, which they then vinified separately.

Les Carmes Haut-Brion entered the market on Wednesday 14th May at £59 (22% on the 2022). The estate gained the top spot in Part I of our 2025 Bordeaux Study as the château with the most effective sales and / or marketing initiatives in recent years, as well as for being the top up-and-coming producer consumers should have on their radar (see below).

This was followed by Domaine de Chevalier (£32), D’Issan (£31), and Pavie-Macquin (£35.50) which all entered the market below all previous back vintages. Stéphane Derenoncourt - who consults at Pavie-Macquin - told us that 2024 saw the lowest extraction at the estate in 30 years.

Lascombes 2024 was released this Monday 19th May at £41.50. This is the second vintage under Axel Heinz, who returned to Bordeaux in 2023, after 17 years at the helm of Ornellaia and Masseto. Tuesday 20th May saw the release of the Clarence Dillon family wines, with first growth, Haut-Brion’s red and white grands vins entering the market at £240 and £530 per bottle, respectively. Several leading UK merchants have told us that the release saw good demand, with both wines entering below all vintages available on the market. Calon Ségur followed suit, releasing significantly below previous vintages at £60.

Wednesday 21st saw entries from Saint-Émilion superstars, Ausone (at £307, 29% down on the 2023), and Figeac (£94, 37% down on the 2023). A leading UK merchant described Figeac as their “most successful release of the week”.

Léoville Las Cases 2024 entered the market yesterday (Thursday 22nd) at £95.50 (31% down on the 2023). 2024 is the second vintage made in the new cellar, although Florent Fresse, Commercial Director, describes it as "the first vintage where we could fully benefit from new facilities", which, 100% gravity-fed, boast 100 tanks (vs 40 previously) and cold rooms. This was followed by Pavie, which, having released at £136 per bottle, provided the largest discount of the campaign so far (41%). The estate revealed a new label during this year's tasting week, which will be featured from the 2023 vintage onwards.

Also released during this period: Alter Ego, Beau-Séjour Bécot, Beychevelle, Canon-la-Gaffelière, Cantenac-Brown, Clerc-Milon, Cos d'Estournel, Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Giscours, La Mission Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, Léoville-Poyferré, Le Petit Mouton, Palmer, Pichon-Longueville Baron, Rauzan-Ségla, Troplong Mondot, and Valandraud.