2024 Ch Petit Figeac Grand Cru Classe, St-Emilion

DUE OCT/NOV 2027

The 2024 Bordeaux en primeur vintage is shaping up to be one of refinement and structure, marked by freshness, moderate alcohol levels, and a return to classical proportions. It was a growing season that demanded precision and restraint — and the top châteaux delivered exactly that.

A cooler, wetter spring led to late flowering, followed by a warm but not excessively hot summer that allowed for slow, even ripening. September brought cooler nights and dry conditions, helping to preserve acidity and aromatic intensity. The best wines, particularly from the Left Bank, show remarkable purity of fruit, with Cabernet Sauvignon offering precision and fine tannins. Saint-Estèphe and Pauillac are especially strong, with Châteaux like Montrose, Lafite, and Lynch-Bages showing depth and polish without excess weight.

On the Right Bank, Pomerol stood out for its silken Merlot and mineral drive, with top estates like L’Évangile and La Conseillante impressing. Saint-Émilion is more varied, though limestone-based sites performed well, offering wines with tension and freshness. Dry whites from Pessac-Léognan and Graves are excellent across the board — crisp, vibrant and aromatic — with Haut-Brion Blanc and Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc among the stars. Sauternes was more limited, with botrytis appearing late and unevenly, though a few sweet wines were successfully made in small quantities.

This is a vintage for collectors who favour balance over opulence, with real potential for long-term cellaring in the hands of the region’s best winemakers.