Bordeaux En Primeur 2025
Newly returned from tasting my 35th vintage in Bordeaux, I can unequivocally state that 2025 is up there as one of the most impressive en primeur tastings in memory. The best wines are sensational, with the potential to be talked about and enjoyed for a generation or more.
Granted, not every estate got it right, but when hitting the highs there are some outstanding wines. The other exciting thing is, as always in the finest years, there is high quality to be found at all levels. This is not just a vintage to focus solely on the First and Second Growths; we found some absolute stars at all levels and potential price points.
En primeur week always falls in mid-April, and this year the Bordeaux vineyards were basking in sunshine at 27 degrees. There is surely no better way to highlight the changes afoot for Gironde winemakers. A new climatic era of warm springs, drier seasons and warmer summer days and, in the case of 2025, cold nights. All these influences shine through in the 2025 wines.
This vintage report and recommendations are our most focused ever, in spite of 2025 being the smallest vintage in recent times for many Châteaux in Bordeaux. Our aim is simple, to guide you by offering only our top picks within all appellations and at all price levels. We are, of course, aware you may have other personal favourites, and these will also be available, with comprehensive tasting notes.
David Roberts MW, Buying Director
THE WINES
Red Wines | 2025 is all about the red wines. Forget the old adage: “is it a Right or Left Bank, Cabernet or Merlot vintage?” This is a vintage where not only terroir shines through, but also attentive viticultural practices for both this year and, more importantly, previous years have paid dividends. These vineyards coped successfully with the stressful climatic challenges of the year and went beyond.
The main point to highlight in our selected wines is the quality and exceptional ripeness of the tannins, which provide a structure and central core, without being obtrusive, particularly in the Cabernet Sauvignon based wines. The finest Merlots have a voluminous tannic content contributing to their body and richness.
The alcohol levels have taken everybody by surprise, showing no signs of an “Année Solaire”. Remarkably low alcohol, between 12.5%-13.5%, sits perfectly in balance with the fruit, freshness and tannins.
Completing the picture is the aromatic precision of the 2025s and their extraordinary persistence and complexity on the finish. This is a year where the nuanced complexities of grape varieties and vineyards shine through. The length of flavour for the finest wines is something we haven’t seen at such an early stage for many years.
These exceptional wines bear the hallmarks of modern viticulture, vinification and tannin management. They are dense but with levity and there are no rough edges in the top 2025s. These are wines that can most definitely be appreciated young, but equally possess Bordeaux’s unique ability to age for decades to come.
White Wines and Sauternes | The challenge for the white wines, particularly as temperatures started to rise in early August, was to maintain freshness and protect the Sauvignon Blanc from over ripeness. This was crucial and explains why Ch Haut Brion started harvesting their white grapes on 14th August.
The best whites in this vintage have early-picked Sauvignon, but importantly a proportion of Semillon in their blends. The Semillons are outstanding; they give body and richness to the wines, providing huge appeal. The 2025s are not racy, rather they have a fullness of texture and depth that make them standout. These are wines to be drunk early to mid-term and offer excellent quality.
The Sauternes have a juicy ripe succulence. The onset of the region’s famed pourriture noble was fast and rapid, with three quick tries (pickings) between 10th September and 12th October. The sugar levels are high, but freshness has been preserved thanks to the cooler nights. Their personality reflects the newer style of sweet wines, approachable in their youth and instantly pleasurable.
THE VINTAGE IN A NUTSHELL
• The smallest Bordeaux harvest for many estates for 30 years.
• One of the earliest harvests in living memory for many Châteaux.
• Harvest for whites started in Pessac-Léognan 14th August, and finished for the Cabernets on average by 20th September
• A mild but damp winter, with vineyards benefitting from the wetter 2024 conditions and healthy water reserves for the drier 2025 seasons ahead.
• Excellent flowering conditions and perfect fruit set.
• Very dry June, July and August. Vineyard management practices a key factor in protecting vines against any late-August hydric stress.
• A very warm summer, with a heat spike between 7th and 17th August, but average temperatures for the year were below 2022 and 2023.
• Rainfall at the end of August and in early September was a vintage saviour, rejuvenating the vines. This helped control sugar levels in the Merlots, and the Cabernets gained time to achieve full phenolic ripeness and aromatic precision.
• The polyphenol/tannins levels were harvested at optimum ripeness. Gentle fruit handling during vinification was crucial to keep their harmony and balance.
• The result is wines with brilliant aromatics, extraordinary persistence, and bright freshness belying the warm summer.
• Lower alcohols on average between 12.5%-13.5%
• Terroir shines through.
IN THE WINERY
“My father likened 2005 to the fabled 1928. The 2025s would possibly gazump those, if he had seen them!” Henri Lurton, Ch Brane Cantenac
“The similarities to 1961 at Cheval are uncanny! The two smallest crops in the estate’s history. Tannin profiles are identical as are the alcohols at 12.5%.” Pierre-Olivier Clouet, Ch Cheval Blanc
“Just three words: radiant, precise and vibrant!” Emmanuel Cruse, Ch d’Issan
“Put the best components of the last 5 vintages ending in a 5 together and you get 2025.” Eric Kohler, Ch Lafite Rothschild
“The wines have the depth of 2022 with the persistence of 2016 and layers of density!” Nicolas Glumineau, Ch Pichon Longueville Lalande and Ch de Pez
PRICES & ALLOCATIONS
Last year, the Bordelais showed a sensitivity to the market with leading châteaux bringing their prices down by as much as 30%. 2025 is unquestionably superior in quality and volumes are considerably down, as much as 50% for some properties.
Wines will be priced château by château. At the lower levels, we don’t foresee any price movements. Many Fourth and Fifth Growth estates and their peers already offer extraordinary value, and we can’t expect them to come down further. Wine lovers should seek these out for future drinking and not for speculation.
As we move up the scale, we may see some reductions from certain estates who didn’t reposition proactively in 2024. For those who made the greatest efforts last year and whose volumes have been impacted the most, small increases are inevitable.
We have made our selection based on quality but also taken into consideration the châteaux who, in our view, are the most market sensitive and will be the best value. The 2025 campaign is likely to get into full flow from the early May. Please let us know if you have a wish list and we will look out for the releases on your behalf.
ST ESTÈPHE
St Estèphe is the most northern of the Médoc’s communal crus. Its unique terroir is made up of layers of gravel which are supported by a dense clay base. This subsoil retains water in dry seasons and works particularly well with Merlot, a relatively widely planted variety in this appellation which is used to flesh out the more austere Cabernet Sauvignon. This clay base also creates powerful, textured tannins which enable St Estèphe to stand out from the pack.
Ch Montrose 2ème Grand Cru Classé
£455.00 - £560.00 per 6 bottles IB
One of the finest terroirs in all of the left bank, the 2025 Montrose is a captivating wine. All from Terrace IV fruit, this is intense and deep on the nose – mulberries, plums and glossy dark berries with touches of graphite. Spicy, with cigar box aromas and cedar, but with a purity and precision that counters the concentration and intensity. The tannin management here is really terrific; they are present and telling of their St Estèphe nature, but so refined and pure – deeply polished so that they are velvety and fine rather than grippy and austere. Incredibly elegant, and so multifaceted already at this early stage of its life. There’s a precise bead of acidity running through the core of the wine, lending to the voluminous sensation on the palate. Surely if St Estèphe were to be granted a First Growth, this wine would provide evidence to Montrose’s claim.
Drink 2032-2070. 98-100 points.
Ch de Pez Cru Bourgeois
£120.00 - £145.00 per 6 bottles IB
Made by the same masterful team as at Pichon Lalande, headed up by Nicolas Glumineau, the 2025 Pez is a cracker. The same gentle extraction used at Pichon Lalande is used here, resulting in a soft and plush expression of the St Estèphe terroir. Supple and charming already, with damsons, blackberries and sweet spice, with a delicate floral lift, all held together with the wonderfully integrated and polished tannins. Persistent and driving finish, leaving a brilliantly fresh finish, this is delicious.
Drink 2029-2040. 93-94 points.
PAUILLAC
Due south of St Estèphe lies the appellation of Pauillac, the king of the Left Bank communes. It is home to three first growths as well as a plethora of other classified growths. Pauillac’s famous well-draining, gravelly soils running alongside the Gironde enable Cabernet Sauvignon to reach fantastic heights of complexity and concentration.
Ch Lafite Rothschild 1er Grand Cru Classé
£1,540.00 - £1,880.00 per 6 bottles IB
The 2025 Lafite will not only be remembered as this great Château’s last vintage to be vinified in the old cellars and its wooden vats, but also for its absolute quality as one of the outstanding wines of the vintage. The excellence of the Cabernet Sauvignon (94%) is absolutely apparent, bristling with striking aromatics of violets, lavender and crisp blackcurrant. Lafite in every way on the palate - it doesn’t leap out of the glass - discretion is the name of the game carefully unfolding, there is a precision to the fruit intertwined with touches of clove and cedar. Extraordinarily complex, building on the palate with quiet confidence whilst remaining graceful throughout and lingering beautifully on the finish. “Premier des Premiers”; a must in any cellar this vintage.
Drink 2034-2070. 98-100 points.
Ch Mouton Rothschild 1er Grand Cru Classé
£1,370.00 - £1,675.00 per 6 bottles IB
A sumptuous Mouton with 98% Cabernet Sauvignon in the finished blend. This great vineyard handled the drier summer conditions in 2025 as well as any in the Medoc, avoiding stress, highlighted by its relaxed nature and polish. A combination of summer berry fruits, peony and hints of graphite waft out of the glass. The initial attack is one of juicy succulence, avoiding excess thanks to a fine central core and natural structured intensity. A more controlled Mouton than some years, but with a delicious sweetness and a lacing of mocha and Arabian spice. Its mouthwatering finish provides additional complexity and great length contributing to making this great wine one of the standouts this vintage.
Drink 2030-2070 98-100 points.
Ch Pichon Lalande 2ème Grand Cru Classé
£480.00 - £585.00 per 6 bottles IB
Pichon’s wine director Nicolas Glumineau commented that the layered fruit and density are the principal characteristic in the 2025 vintage, conjuring images of the weight of 2022 and persistence of 2016, in his words. Subtle aromatics of dark cherry and freshly picked berries. This wine is all about control, with no dominating factor; the rewarding sweetness of fruit sits perfectly alongside the tightly integrated but harmonious tannins. It is silky in nature, caressing the palate with a natural generosity and noticeable substance. The finish is extraordinary, with a persistence that seems to go on forever. Quite simply exquisite!
Drink 2037-2065. 96-98 points.
Ch Clerc Milon 5ème Grand Cru Classé
£250.00 - £305.00 per 6 bottles IB
Really soft and inviting red fruit nose. Sumptuous and appetising, with soft raspberries and strawberries, glossy plums and some cedar and sweet spices. The tannins are smooth and supple, with a fabulously long finish that really fans out and persists. An utterly charming wine, already feeling very complete, and strutting a bit ahead of its stablemates at present.
Drink 2030-2045. 94-96 points.
Ch Grand Puy Lacoste 5ème Grand Cru Classé
£190.00 - £235.00 per 6 bottles IB
The first vintage made in the impressive new winery at this popular estate. Brilliant intensity and concentration immediately on the nose. Spicy, and a deeper, darker register of fruit – blackcurrants and dark hedgerow berries, with a floral lift of iris and rose, finishing with a touch of cola and root spice. The tannins are firm but well managed, standing strong with the salty mineral core. There’s a delicate minty note on the finish, adding to the sense of persistence in this wine. A brilliant GPL.
Drink 2031-2060. 95-97 points.
Ch Batailley 5ème Grand Cru Classé
£135.00 - £165.00 per 6 bottles IB
Quite a rich nose, shiny dark berries, cassis and a touch of sweet spice and liquorice, this is a very strong effort from Batailley in this vintage. Beautiful flow to the wine, caressing the palate with quite soft and layered tannins. A brilliant, pure streak of minerality cuts through the richly fruited palate, with a strong and long finish.
Drink 2029-2040. 92-94 points.
ST JULIEN
St Julien is like the middle child of the Médoc, not as assertive as Pauillac or as coquettish as Margaux; it lies both geographically and stylistically between the two. Whilst it doesn’t boast any first growths, like its neighbour Pauillac, it is equal in reputation because of the wealth of distinguished second growths in the appellation. The commune’s wines are sought out for their balance and complex consistency.
Ch Léoville Las Cases
2ème Grand Cru Classé
£515.00 - £630.00 per 6 bottles IB
Expectations were already high after a brilliant showing of Clos du Marquis, but this performs on a different level entirely. Pure and striking, leaping right out of the glass from the off – beautifully pure and precise cassis and violets, with a touch of tobacco and cedar. There’s an inky, iodine backbone too, with an inviting oyster shell edge to the mineral profile. The palate is extraordinary – dense, layered yet so fine and lifted, it just flows so effortlessly and with such precision and perfection. An outstanding wine, surely one of the wines of the vintage, and a strikingly gorgeous example of this remarkable terroir.
Drink 2032-2065. 98-100 points.
Ch Léoville Barton
2ème Grand Cru Classé
£260.00 - £320.00 per 6 bottles IB
2025 is the 200th anniversary under the ownership of the Barton family. Along with Langoa Barton, this is the longest tenure of any of the Medoc classified growths under a single family. A superb wine showing all the characteristics on which the property has built its reputation: there is structure and muscle but with a finish of suave St Julien sophistication. 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, aromas of mocha and freshly ground coffee bean, it is immediately impressive, with a bold fullness of fruit. Balanced power and the layers of dark berry have a lacquered vanilla pod character to them. A classy and impressive wine.
Drink 2023-2065. 97-98 points.
Ch Branaire Ducru
4ème Grand Cru Classé
£145.00 - £175.00 per 6 bottles IB
Wonderfully intense nose, a brilliant and pure expression of St Julien, full of rich cassis, plums and blackberries, with a touch of violets, cigar box and graphite. Fabulously perfumed, with a dark, salty mineral base layer on the palate, this is a succulent and sapid Branaire Ducru, precise and fine on the palate. A fantastically debonair Branaire, this will give immediate pleasure as well as aging magnificently.
Drink 2029-2049. 93-95 points.
Ch Langoa Barton
3ème Grand Cru Classé
£140.00 - £175.00 per 6 bottles IB
Langoa 2025 is less Cabernet dominant than its bigger brother Léoville, with 45% Merlot in the finished blend. Striking fruits of the forest aromas, this is a composed and harmonious wine, with a gentle nature. Free flowing in the mouth, with mouthwatering freshness, calm, relaxed and so very rewarding. Lovely.
Drink 2030–2050. 94-96 points.
MARGAUX & HAUT-MÉDOC
Plump, silky and seductive are the words often used to describe wines from Margaux. Because of their style, they tend to be user friendly and more approachable when young. This is in part due to its terroir which is comprised of the thinnest soil as well as the highest proportion of chunky gravel in all of the Médoc. It drains well but also is it more susceptible to vintage variation. Margaux wines tend to have the highest proportions of Merlot within the heart of the Médoc resulting in charming wines with a sweet perfume, and a lovely balance between juicy fruit, freshness, and fine tannin structure.
The Haut-Médoc is an appellation within the Médoc that stretches along the Left Bank of the Gironde from Blanquefort in the south to the north of Bordeaux. These wines have lower permitted yields and so offer great value for money.
Ch Margaux 1er Grand Cru Classé
£1,460.00 - £1,780.00 per 6 bottles IB
The Grand Vin represented just 37% of production in 2025 and is most definitely worth seeking out. Deep, dark black fruits, cassis, blueberry with a lift of fresh plum and cedar. Graceful and silky in the palate, the tannins are fine and lacelike, but still contribute to the wine’s depth, structure and intensity. It flows beautifully, with flavours of violet, sesame and sweet fresh blackcurrant. Tremendous purity and fine linear direction are perfectly counterbalanced by a delicious velvety richness on the finish.
Drink 2031-2068. 97-99 points.
Ch Rauzan Ségla 2ème Cru
£255.00 - £310.00 per 6 bottles IB
The appellation of Margaux prevailed as one of the standout locations in 2025 and this year’s Rauzan is a flagship highlighting the very best the terroir offers. A majority blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot, there is a wonderful perfume: lilac and mimosa summer rose petal merge with fresh red cherry. A smooth graceful style, less focused on muscle and more on refinement. A combination of roundness and precision, its natural fresh lift allows the flavours to build with characters of sweet small-berried fruit, fresh vanilla pod and caramel. Long and bright on the finish.
Drink 2031-2057. 95-97 points.
Ch Brane-Cantenac 2ème Cru
£190.00 - £235.00 per 6 bottles IB
The 2025 represents the 100th anniversary since Henri Lurton’s great-grandfather bought this famous 2nd growth in 1925. As for the last few years, the Grand Vin comes solely from the parcels of vines sitting on the Medoc’s finest geology, Terrace IV, providing the very best fruit. Wonderfully plush aromatics, vanilla pod, dark chocolate and Morello cherry. Sumptuous and joyful in the palate, with its round generosity and richness of fruit intermingling perfectly with a feeling of vigour and energy. Broad and full, with a multi-layered sensation of sweet dark fruits. This is a wine which keeps on evolving and is destined for long term greatness. There can be no doubt Henri’s ancestors would be very proud of him with this fine anniversary cuvée.
Drink 2032-2068. 94-96 points.
Ch Angludet
£110.00 - £135.00 per 6 bottles IB
Quite deep in colour, this is very approachable straight out of the gate in 2025. Blueberries, plums and a touch of spice and cigar box, this feels very easy, with beautifully integrated tannins and a wonderful drive of acidity. Very comfortable already and satisfying, this will provide pleasure already when released in bottle.
Drink 2028-2035. 90-92 points.
Ch Cantemerle 5ème Cru Haut-Médoc
£85.00 - £105.00 per 6 bottles IB
“The greatest Cantemerle ever produced” Pierre-Alexandre proudly exclaimed, and who are we to disagree? The first wine made in their impressive new winery, and the improvement is already evident. Soft creamy raspberries and plums, with a gentle seasoning of spice. There’s a pleasing bitterness on the tip of the palate that keeps the wine really inviting and moreish – you can’t help but go back for another taste. Brilliant lift on the finish. Really rather accomplished.
Drink 2028-2040. 91-93 points.
PESSAC-LÉOGNAN
Stretching south from the suburbs of Bordeaux along the Left Bank of the river Garonne, lies the gravelly-soiled commune of Pessac-Léognan within Graves. As well as its sensational white varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot thrive here, producing wines with an elegant balance.
Ch Haut Brion 1er Grand Cru Classé
£1,295.00 - £1,585.00 per 6 bottles IB
Oh my, where do we start! Writing my report 4 days later and I can still almost taste the brilliance of this extraordinary wine. This potentially goes beyond perfection… A stunning array of scents covering lavender, summer pudding fruits, cedar, cigar box and a gloriously refreshing lifted herbal edge. It leaps out from the glass, with a fabulous juicy richness showing the very best of the Merlot (62%) and poise and depth of its Cabernets (38%). Building progressively on the palate, more brooding in nature than La Mission, this is an absolute classic, with an old-fashioned medicinal undercurrent, thought provoking and complex. The tannins are careful and precise, complete in nature supporting the wines natural weight of fruit and light freshness. There is such an aristocratic stature, and I can’t wait to taste again as it surely could be the wine of the vintage. A generational wine to be enjoyed by many!
Drink 2032-2075. 100+ points.
Ch La Mission Haut Brion
Grand Cru Classé
£785.00 - £955.00 per 6 bottles IB
Jean Philippe Delmas and his team at Clarence Dillon estates have quite simply nailed the 2025 vintage. This is another superlative wine from the family stable. Floral spring aromas, with further scents of violet and lavender and early summer fruits. Charming and graceful in the palate, with a velvety texture, the tannins are suede-like in style and quality, giving rounded depth and a refined density. It builds and builds as the deeper darker berry flavours evolve. Fleshy and juicy, exuding joy and happiness and thankfully the flavours rest in the mouth for an eternity as it reaches for perfection.
Drink 2030-2068. 100 points.
Ch Les Carmes
Haut-Brion
£320.00 - £390.00 per 6 bottles IB
Les Carmes Haut Brion is a stand-alone wine in Pessac, following its own course as a blend of 54% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and using 60% whole bunch vinification. Winemaker Guillaume Pouthier and his team have yet again crafted an incomparable wine. Layered black cherry aromas with mocha, freshly ground coffee and a touch of liquorice. A deep intense wine, the sweetness of fruit is refreshed by the saline edge, coming from the stalks according to Guillaume. Very deep in flavour, the ripe mature tannins give both depth and longevity.
Drink 2028-2065. 97-98 points.
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc
Grand Cru Classé
£375.00 - £460.00 per 6 bottles IB
Bright and fresh nose with freshly sliced pears and apples, candied lemon rind and some white blossom, along with some sweet spice and white pepper. Good weight of fruit on the palate but with a firm acid backbone too. Peppy and zippy, with a pleasing bitterness leading to a long saline, mouthwatering finish, this has all the structural ingredients to age terrifically. Our standout white in this vintage.
Drink 2028-2045. 95-97 points.
ST ÉMILION
On the Right Bank south of Pomerol lies the medieval town of St Émilion surrounded by vines that produce round, rich and often hedonistic wines. Amongst myriad soil types, two main ones dominate - the limestone slopes that delve down to the valley from the plateau and the valley itself which is comprised of limestone, gravel, clay and sand. Towards its Pomerol border clay soils nourish roots in drier years. Dominated by Merlot, the blends also often contain some freshening Cabernet Franc and occasionally Cabernet Sauvignon. One of Bordeaux’s most respected vineyard regions, the best growers are letting their vineyards and the fruit do the talking, resulting in balanced elegance and joyous natural richness.
Ch Cheval Blanc
£1,485.00 - £1,815.00 per 6 bottles IB
2025 was a very small crop for Ch Cheval Blanc, 50% down, and their smallest harvest since the frost impacted vintage of 1991. But on the positive side, as Arnaud Lafourcade explained, the ripeness and polyphenol levels are comparable to 1961 and 2010. Not bad benchmarks! Deep opaque colour, a perfume of blueberry, loganberry and myrtle, lifted by some fresh Cabernet cedar and cassis. A more reserved wine in these early stages - a reflection of the importance of the limestone to the overall quality- which provides a mineral tightness on the mid-palate. The early impression is of a stricter styled wine than some years, but the sweetness of fruit comes through towards the finish, almost saying “don’t judge me today, but I will be great in time”. Thought provoking and classy, patience is the name of the game here as it will be a classic.
Drink 2034-2070. 98-100 points.
Ch Figeac 1er Grand Cru Classé
£510.00 - £620.00 per 6 bottles IB
A classic Figeac blend of 38% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc, thriving on its gravels and blue clay subsoils. Deep opaque colour, ripe and dark fruit aromatics, with hints of smoky oak and graphite. A full wine, plush and generous with a gloriously delicious succulence. Dense in character, with a fine Cabernet backbone, plenty of fresh energy. It builds and builds in the palate, thanks in part to 8% pressed wine in the finished cuvée, according to director Frederic Faye. This is so pleasurable and despite its overall concentration it has a lightness of touch that is exhilarating. An absolute standout for the vintage.
Drink 2032-2068 98-100 points.
Ch Canon 1er Grand Cru Classé
£385.00 - £470.00 per 6 bottles IB
Ch Canon’s famed limestone plateau enabled the vines to progress as in a more normal year during the dry summer of 2025. Hence yields were a healthy 40hl/ha and this surely contributes to how comfortable the wine feels when tasting. A lifted fragrant herbal scent, with bright fresh red berry undertones. There is a brilliance and clarity to the fruit, tightly knit, all about control and precision. The central core gives density and weight, and the sweet finish allows all its delicious floral flavours to fan out, giving huge pleasure. Poised, complex and classy.
Drink 2031-2058. 95-97 points.
Ch Beau-Séjour Bécot 1er Grand Cru Classé
£205.00 - £350.00 per 6 bottles IB
A truly gorgeous nose, fabulously extroverted and showy yet incredibly refined; you cannot wait to dive in. The Cabernet Franc is evident, with an elegant floral expression of violets and lavender leaping out of the glass and grabbing your attention. Intensity and concentration coming through from the small berries, with cherries and raspberries, and sappy pomegranate, but with purity and freshness, held together by a sense of electric tension. Layer upon layer of complexity, with a long limestone finish. Persistence, freshness and purity personified. Utterly brilliant. Drink 2030-2045. 96-98 points.
Ch Joanin Bécot Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
£75.00 - £90.00 per 6 bottles IB
From the Côte de Castillon – on the eastern end of the same limestone plateau that Beausejour is on in the west. Sweet approachable red fruit, plummy without being overripe, with soft macerated strawberries and raspberries too. A core of limestone minerality lends a sense of freshness and helps the wine feel very comfortable in its own skin already. Fabulous balance and wonderful tension make this incredibly moreish and appetising. A fantastic showing of all the Becot wines in this vintage. Drink 2028-2035. 93-94 points.
POMEROL
The small appellation of Pomerol is situated north east of Libourne on the Right Bank. Pomerol’s soils are predominately iron-rich clays with a smattering of gravel and produce wines of extraordinary power and depth. As a result of this clay-dominance, it has the highest percentage of Merlot planted in all of Bordeaux. Unlike other Bordelais sub-regions, there is no system of classification. The châteaux are traded on reputation alone, and despite the region's small size, Pomerol contains some of the world's most sought after wines.
Ch La Conseillante
£635.00 - £780.00 per 6 bottles IB
2025 is the first vintage to feature Cabernet Sauvignon in 70 years, helping to bring a new and different angle to the wine in the face of increasingly warm growing seasons. Incredibly fine and delicate nose. Macerated strawberries, crushed raspberries and damsons. Wonderfully floral, full of roses and peonies – almost pinoté in expression. Really nicely held together by the beautifully managed fine tannins and driving bead of acidity. A masterclass in focus, finesse and precision. Chapeau Marielle!
Drink 2030-2050. 96-98 points.
Ch L'Evangile
£515.00 - £625.00 per 6 bottles IB
Deep, dense Morello cherry and blackberry with a lifted herbal scent giving the impression of freshness and energy. Characteristic Evangile plushness and generosity, but with controlled restraint that is so much winemaker Juliette Couderc’s style. Bright and so full of life on the palate, with sumptuous richness on the finish. Pomerol at its best.
Drink 2030 -2055. 95-97 points.
Ch Gazin
£215.00 - £260.00 per 6 bottles IB
Nicely juicy nose, with expressive and approachable blueberries, cassis and glossy black cherries. A touch of rose petal and lavender gives a lovely gentle lift. ‘Al dente’ fruit, with a good salty drive. Soft and unctuous tannins, giving a nice grip to support the density of the fruit. Very complete already, and offering immediate pleasure.
Drink 2029-2038. 93-95 points.
Vieux Château Certan
£635.00 - £780.00 per 6 bottles IB
An extraordinary array of aromatics in this stellar 2025. Deep, dark glossy Maraschino cherries with macerated, crushed almost coulis-like dark raspberries on the nose. The impact of the Cabernet Franc is evident this year with an amazing floral edge lifting the whole thing, with raspberry leaf, menthol, and a touch of white pepper. An amazing show of power, delicacy and intricacy in perfect balance. Such a long finish too, one that followed us into the car park. Excellent work here.
Drink 2031-2065. 97-99 points.
NEW TO BORDEAUX EN PRIMEUR?
If you’re interested in the idea of Bordeaux En Primeur, but don’t know where to start we would be delighted to tailor a parcel of up to £1,000 or £3,000 to get you started.
Below is what you can expect from a beginner’s parcel. These wines have been carefully curated by the team who were out tasting in Bordeaux last week, with a focus on the standout wines across all the major appellations on both Left and Right Banks. This hand-crafted list would serve as the perfect way to dive headfirst in the delights of Bordeaux En Primeur – whether you’re looking to participate in En Primeur for the first time, or to get a loved one’s wine collection off to a stellar start.
Alternatively, we would be delighted to customise a bespoke parcel, if you have any particular favourite producers or appellations that you’d like to see in your cellar. A member of the team would be at hand to talk you through their picks of the vintage, to maximise the potential of your cellar in its fledgling moments.
**Please note: as prices are not yet released, these are estimated prices based on last year’s release prices.
£1,000 Sample Cellar
· Ch Cantemerle 5ème Cru Haut-Médoc: £85-£105/ 6 IB
· Ch Branaire Ducru 4ème Cru St Julien : £145-175/6 IB
· Ch Brane-Cantenac 2ème Cru Margaux: £190-235/6 IB
· Ch Beau-Séjour Bécot 1er Grand Cru Classé St Emilion: £205-250/6 IB
· Ch Gazin Pomerol: £215-£260/6 IB
Total Parcel: £840 -£1,025 IB
£3,000 Sample Cellar
· Ch Brane-Cantenac 2ème Cru Margaux: £190-235/6 IB
· Ch Beau-Séjour Bécot 1er Grand Cru Classé St Emilion: £205-250/6 IB
· Ch Gazin Pomerol: £215-£260/6 IB
· Ch Montrose 2ème Cru St Estèphe: £455-£560/6 IB
· Ch Pichon Lalande 2ème Cru Pauillac: £480-585/6 IB
· Ch Les Carmes Haut Brion Pessac-Léognan: £320-£390/6 IB
· Ch Léoville Las Cases 2ème Cru St Julien: £515-630/6 IB
Total Parcel: £2,380 - £2,910 IB
PRACTICALITIES
HOW TO ORDER:
PHONE
London: +44 (0) 20 7793 7900
Hong Kong: +852 2801 5999
EMAIL
Send an email to our Sales Team in London at sales@goedhuiswaddesdon.com, in Hong Kong at hksales@goedhuis.com or directly to your sales person at their email address listed below.
Caroline Que caroline@goedhuis.com
Charlie Whittington, charlie@goedhuiswaddesdon.com
David Roberts MW, david@goedhuiswaddesdon.com
Hugo McMullen, hugo@goedhuiswaddesdon.com
Harry Tennant, harry@goedhuiswaddesdon.com
James Low, james@goedhuiswaddesdon.com
Jamie Strutt, jamie@goedhuiswaddesdon.com
Johnny Goedhuis, johnny@goedhuiswaddesdon.com
Luke Pleydell-Bouverie, luke@goedhuiswaddesdon.com
Ruairi O’Hara, ruairi@goedhuiswaddesdon.com
Tilly Loughton, tilly@goedhuiswaddesdon.com
WEBSITE
The wines will be available to buy online at www.goedhuiswaddesdon.com as they are released.
EN PRIMEUR TERMS & CONDITIONS
Normal terms and conditions apply. All wines are offered In Bond UK and subject to availability. The wines will arrive from Spring 2028 and on arrival, your wines can either be delivered directly to you or stored Under Bond by our storage company, Private Reserves. Storage costs range from £5.48 - £7.48 ex VAT per 6 bottle case per annum, depending on the total number of bottles stored. If and when you decide to take delivery, Duty and VAT at the prevailing rate will become payable. At present, Duty charges vary depending on % ABV, and VAT is at 20%. For more details on Duty charges, please click here. Delivery in the UK will be charged at cost. Payment must be made within 30 days of invoice date.
ALL EN PRIMEUR DELIVERIES ARE CHARGED AT COST
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