2024 in Bordeaux will be remembered as a demanding year, one where nature tested winegrowers at every stage of the vine’s cycle. Rain, mildew, coulure (poor fruit set), millerandage (uneven grape development), and grey rot all made their mark. But where difficulties arise, so too does excellence — especially from the estates that combined experience, precision, and reactivity.
The results? Stunning dry and sweet white wines, and red wines that — while not the most powerful or opulent of vintages — deliver freshness, fruit purity, and a style very much in line with today’s consumer expectations.
This is a vintage that calls for curiosity. Wine lovers would do well to seek out the estates that mastered these tricky conditions.
What were the weather conditions like in 2024?
A rollercoaster vintage with rain and humidity
From late 2023 into early 2024, rainfall levels in Bordeaux were exceptional — making it almost impossible for many winegrowers to even access their vines in October due to flooded soils. Apart from a cold spell in early January, temperatures remained above average.
Budburst took place around early April, helped by sunny conditions — but this was short-lived. The return of cold weather brought spring frosts that damaged certain areas.
As if that wasn’t enough, downy mildew appeared in late April and quickly spread throughout May, fueled by continued humidity. Flowering was delayed and took place in damp conditions, with rainfall from October to May far exceeding seasonal norms (1,095mm vs. the average 750mm).
This also led to coulure and millerandage — particularly impacting Merlot vines.
June and early July brought better conditions, although occasional storms kept disease pressure high. Fortunately, by late July the weather stabilized: dry and warm conditions arrived just in time for véraison (the ripening and color change of the grapes).
By the end of August, mildew pressure had decreased, and the grapes ripened under good weather conditions.
The harvest began in early September with dry whites, allowing estates to capture freshness and aromatic purity. Merlots were picked from around 20 September, in variable weather conditions. Vigilant winegrowers sorted their grapes carefully to eliminate any rot — a crucial step in the vintage’s success.
Cabernet harvests benefited from more favorable conditions in the latter part of the season.
As for the sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac, alternating wet and dry spells between September and October provided perfect conditions for botrytis (noble rot) to develop, leading to elegant, pure, and aromatic wines.
2024 Bordeaux: A winemaker’s vintage
Despite the challenging conditions, some winemakers managed to produce very beautiful wines thanks to their meticulous work: observing their vines, their reactiveness to intervene in the vineyards at the right time, harvest dates, heavily sorting the grapes, blending choices… 2024 will go down in history as a winemaker’s vintage!
What is the quality of 2024 Bordeaux wines like?
The whites
The 2024 vintage is an excellent year for dry white wines across Bordeaux. These wines are fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced. They exhibit moderate alcohol levels, with expressive aromatics with notes of citrus fruits and floral aromas and well-integrated acidity. While they will be approachable and enjoyable in their youth, they also possess the structure and balance to age gracefully.
The harvest for Sémillon grapes began on 28 August. In 2024, they clearly fall into the category of great successes, producing wines that are fresh, balanced, aromatic, and generous, with delicious notes of white and yellow fruits.
The reds
Merlot harvesting began around 20 September, under mixed weather conditions. Berry weights were similar to 2021 and among the highest of the past five vintages. Sugar levels were moderate, with good acidity and fruit aromas. Early in their aging, the Merlots are already aromatic and enjoyable when young, though less dense than in recent years. The best Libourne wines include depth and finesse, while later-harvested Merlots tend to be greener and more diluted.
Cabernet harvesting continued until mid-October, benefiting from improved weather conditions. The grapes had sugar levels similar to 2021, with a fruitier and less acidic profile, yet remained structured with intense color. Particularly impressive were the Cabernets from gravel soils and those produced by meticulous winegrowers who avoided the typical green pepper notes.
The sweet whites
Conditions in 2024 were ideal for the production of high-quality sweet wines. The development of botrytis (noble rot) occurred under perfect conditions, alternating between rain and sun, allowing for the creation of wines with exceptional purity, aromatic intensity, and refreshing acidity. The resulting wines display an elegant and energetic style, with both finesse and depth..
Source:
Le millésime 2024 à Bordeaux [English: The 2024 vintage in Bordeaux] by Geny, Guittard, Lavigne, Marchal