Burgundy 2024 En Primeur

A first pass on 2024 vintage Burgundy.

In the spring and early summer of 2024, if you listened very carefully, you could probably hear the cries of anguish float across the channel as Burgundy vignerons faced repeated climatic challenges. Unusually high levels of rain, sporadic hailstorms and frost must have left producers pondering what else mother nature might send their way. Inevitably, this weather of extremes piled on the additional pressure of disease, a fact most harshly felt by those growers certified organic or in the transition to be so.

Whilst there was never any let-up in challenges, whether it be mildew or further hail, by mid-July veraison (grape colour change) had started. By late August the rains finally receded, bringing with it a period of drier, warmer conditions allowing the grapes to fully ripen. The harvest was completed over a two-week period in mid-September. Unsurprisingly, the final yields are very small. This was clear to see on our visit to Burgundy last November, where in stark contrast to the 2023 harvest, the cellars were eerily light on full barrels.

But what of the quality of the wine? Well, here’s the silver lining, early tastings suggest the quality is very good. The relative maturity level of the grapes, the intense selection in the vineyard and on the sorting table, along with the skills of the winemakers has delivered fresh, relatively low in alcohol, classic style whites and reds. We will of course have a more in-depth knowledge of how each Domaine has performed after our visit later this year but what is in no doubt, there won’t be much of it!

Héritiers du Comte Lafon

Samuel Billaud

    Name
    Type
    Notes
    Case Size
    Price
    Quantity
  • Still White | Case of 6

    Still White

    Produced from 50-year-old vines on the top of the Le Clos plateau, the Petit is a super value entry level estate wine. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this is all about freshness and purity. Bright with notes of citrus, fresh apple and a hint of salinity on the finish, it pairs up very nicely with seafood or simply delicious on its own! 0-3 years. "This is from a plot just above Les Clos, and it punches well above its weight. Lively, bright, stony and mineral with good texture and weight. This shows depth and vitality. Very fine." 94/100 (Jamie Goode)

    Case of 6

    £120.00
  • Still White | Case of 6

    Still White

    Probably one of the best village Chablis's out there, the grapes are sourced from the Pargues, Montmains and Montée de Tonnerre vineyards. 100% fermented and aged in stainless steel, the village oozes purity and delivers aromas of nectarine, crisp apple and oyster shell. A little lees ageing adds a pleasing texture. Classically mineral driven in character, with fresh acidity it has a lovely tension and finishes bone-dry. Your go to Chablis! 0- 5 years. "Stony, precise and mineral with nice intensity of limey fruit. Really vivid with nice acidity. Chiselled." 94/100 (Jamie Goode)

    Case of 6

    £132.00
  • Still White | Case of 3 Magnums

    Still White

    Probably one of the best village Chablis's out there, the grapes are sourced from the Pargues, Montmains and Montée de Tonnerre vineyards. 100% fermented and aged in stainless steel, the village oozes purity and delivers aromas of nectarine, crisp apple and oyster shell. A little lees ageing adds a pleasing texture. Classically mineral driven in character, with fresh acidity it has a lovely tension and finishes bone-dry. Your go to Chablis! 0- 5 years. "Stony, precise and mineral with nice intensity of limey fruit. Really vivid with nice acidity. Chiselled." 94/100 (Jamie Goode)

    Case of 3 Magnums

    £147.00
  • Still White | Case of 6

    Still White

    Fermented in 100 % stainless steel, there's evident notes of lime, tropical fruit and wet stone. This is one for the purists. With its classic steely structure, it delivers signature Chablis minerality, saline notes and that flintiness that is hard not to like. It softens with a little more time in the glass but it's always going to be on the more austere side. 5-15 years. "There is a linear quality to this, but also a bit of depth. Hints of cream. Bright, linear acidity with lime and crystalline lemon. Nice tension." 95/100 (Jamie Goode)

    Case of 6

    £255.00
  • Still White | Case of 6

    Still White

    With 20% fermented in barrel and the remaining 80% in stainless steel, the Tonnerre gives up alluring notes of stone fruit, a little white peach and a hint of aniseed. On the palate it possesses delicious creamy mouthfeel, with prominent leesy weight and texture but bright, zingy acidity. A superbly balanced wine, whilst delicious now, will need further cellar time to really show its class. 5-15 years. "This has some exotic peach and pear character as well as crystalline citrus fruit, with a nice liquid mineral character. Fine, fresh and detailed with nice purity and harmony. It’s ripe but it stays really balanced." 94/100 (Jamie Goode).

    Case of 6

    £294.00
  • Still White | Case of 3 Magnums

    Still White

    With 20% fermented in barrel and the remaining 80% in stainless steel, the Tonnerre gives up alluring notes of stone fruit, a little white peach and a hint of aniseed. On the palate it possesses delicious creamy mouthfeel, with prominent leesy weight and texture but bright, zingy acidity. A superbly balanced wine, whilst delicious now, will need further cellar time to really show its class. 5-15 years. "This has some exotic peach and pear character as well as crystalline citrus fruit, with a nice liquid mineral character. Fine, fresh and detailed with nice purity and harmony. It’s ripe but it stays really balanced." 94/100 (Jamie Goode).

    Case of 3 Magnums

    £315.00
  • Still White | Case of 6

    Still White

    The Bougros vineyard is the most western of the seven Grand Cru climats. Samuel chooses to vinify the grapes in a 50/50 blend of barrel aged and stainless steel, the resulting wine is superbly balanced wine with signature acidity, evident minerality and saline notes. Sitting atop this structure lies a wealth of apple, lime, ginger, citrus and even starbursts! A treat, this will age gracefully for years to come. 5-15 years. "50% raised in 500 litre barrels. This has incredible concentration and weight with bold citrus and pineapple and pear fruit with amazing vitality and intensity. There’s a spicy, mineral character. Really powerful with a slight hint of cabbage and gunsmoke adding complexity. This is a striking wine showing real weight." 97/100 (Jamie Goode).

    Case of 6

    £576.00