The third week of April will see all the press, critics and the big merchants from the UK, USA and Asia lining up in Bordeaux to taste the 2024 vintage out of barrel. This year rather than excited anticipation it is more like hold your breath and hope. The elephant in the room was the weather which threw any number of challenges at the vigneron – from a veritable inundation through winter and spring which created a variable flowering and fruit set as well as enormous disease pressures, to a dry end to summerthat dramatically raised spirits and finally a very late finish in October under stormy, botrytis inducing conditions. In a word – Difficult! There is light at the end of the tunnel though. This is a vintage where the best vignerons have showcased their hard work in the vineyard alongside their technical expertise. Expect some big surprises. In style this is a vintage that will hark back to yesteryear – low alcohol, elegant, not overextracted or overoaked, in many ways classic. What to buy – Bordeaux Blanc – where as it was hard work with the reds, the dry whites harvested before the end of season stormy weather are phenomenal – Must Buys!!!Stay away from most 2nd wines, those that made the severest selections have done best.Price will be very important, don’t over pay.Earlier ripening Merlot is favoured. As always we’ll look to steer you in the right direction, we intend being very selective in what we offer. That means not only the best wines, but also best value and undiscovered gems.