Bordeaux 2024 vintage shaped by extreme weather and uneven yields across key appellations

As the Bordeaux 2024 en primeur tastings begin, the region faces a vintage shaped by extreme weather and significant challenges in the vineyard. Despite these difficulties, many producers have managed to craft wines of notable quality, thanks to technical advancements and strategic vineyard management.

The 2024 growing season was marked by heavy rainfall and cooler-than-average temperatures. Rainfall from March to September reached 649 mm, 52% above the 10-year average, making it one of the wettest vintages in recent memory. Annual rainfall totals also exceeded long-term averages across most sub-regions, with some areas like Margaux receiving nearly double the usual winter precipitation. This led to saturated soils at the start of the growing season.

Budburst began in early April under sunny skies, but a sudden drop in temperature later that month brought frost and hail to several areas, including Fronsac and parts of the Médoc. These events slowed vine growth and introduced early mildew pressure, which persisted throughout the season due to alternating rain and heat spikes. Organic vineyards, often more experienced in managing mildew without synthetic chemicals, were able to respond quickly and effectively, sometimes outperforming conventional vineyards in yield.

May brought continued cool and wet conditions, leading to uneven flowering and fruit set. This resulted in coulure (poor fruit set) and millerandage (uneven berry size), particularly affecting Merlot vines and younger or virus-affected parcels. The summer finally arrived in late June but was interrupted by storms that reignited mildew outbreaks. Vineyard teams had to remain vigilant, often working nights and weekends to protect their crops.

Véraison (color change) occurred slowly through August under improving conditions. By September, Merlot grapes were ready for harvest but had not fully concentrated due to ongoing cool weather. Cabernet Sauvignon benefited from a longer hang time into October under drier conditions, resulting in smaller berries with higher acidity and better balance.

Data from the Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin (ISVV) show that Merlot grapes were larger and more diluted than usual, with lower sugar levels compared to recent vintages. Cabernet Sauvignon showed better concentration and higher acidity. These differences suggest that 2024 may favor Cabernet-based wines over Merlot-dominant blends.

Sorting was critical during harvest. Many top estates used densimetric sorting to remove unripe berries that visual or optical systems might miss. This level of precision helped mitigate some of the vintage’s challenges but required significant resources.

White wines from Bordeaux fared better overall. Sauvignon Blanc harvested in early September showed high acidity, low alcohol, and low pH—indicators of freshness and aging potential. The absence of heatwaves preserved aromatic complexity. In Sauternes and Barsac, alternating humidity and dry spells allowed for successful development of noble rot (botrytis cinerea), leading to promising sweet wines with good concentration and balance.

Despite being the smallest harvest since 1991, this was largely due to a reduction in vineyard area rather than poor yields alone. Yields varied significantly by appellation. In general, prestigious left-bank areas like Pauillac and St-Estèphe saw sharp declines due to mildew and uneven ripening. Right-bank regions like Saint-Émilion held up better thanks to well-draining soils. Pessac-Léognan reported yields above the 10-year average for both red and white wines.

The Bordeaux rouge appellation actually saw an increase in yields compared to 2023, partly because lower-yielding plots have been removed or abandoned in recent years. Meanwhile, more selective harvesting practices in top appellations contributed to lower yields but potentially higher quality.

The 2024 vintage is highly heterogeneous. Success depended on terroir quality, vineyard management decisions during key moments of the growing season, and careful selection during harvest and vinification. While some wines may lack concentration or show elevated acidity, others—especially those based on Cabernet or grown on well-drained soils—could stand out for their structure and freshness.

En primeur tastings will provide further insight into how these factors have translated into finished wines across Bordeaux’s diverse appellations.