Best Pessac-Léognan 2024 wines tasted en primeur

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Pessac-Léognan 2024: Vibrant tangy whites and uneven reds but with some standouts

Average yield reds: 39hl/ha

Variance from 2023: 2.2% (38.1hl/ha)

Average yield whites: 42.3hl/ha

Variance from 2023: -18.9% (50.3hl/ha)

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top wines from Pessac-Léognan 2024

Vintage overview

Pessac-Leeognan was the highest yielding appellation for reds on the Left Bank and, together with the Graves, one of only two to increase yields from last year. For still whites, Pessac is third to the Entre-deux-Mers and Bordeaux Blanc appellations.

The 2024 vintage in Pessac-Léognan presented a mixed picture, shaped by the region’s higher-than-average rainfall during the beginning of the season.

Overall, classified châteaux performed well, likely thanks to greater resources enabling more rigorous sorting in a challenging year.

Some white wines, like Larrivet Haut-Brion, were the standout, offering vibrant, tangy acidity and aromatic clarity that promise excellent ageing potential.

They are precise, refreshing, and stylistically consistent, with a fine balance between ripeness and tension.

The reds were more uneven. While some estates managed to craft elegant, structured wines – especially those leaning more heavily on Cabernet Sauvignon – many lacked concentration and definition.

In some cases, the tannins came across as slightly green, and the fruit a touch diluted.

The top red wines will benefit from mid-term cellaring, but a significant number are best enjoyed in the first decade, as they may not have the structure or fruit depth for extended maturation.

White standouts

• Château Smith Haut Lafitte
• Château La Louvière
• Château Couhins-Lurton

White highlights

• Château Haut-Brion Blanc
• Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc
• Château Larrivet Haut-Brion
• Château Malartic-Lagravière Blanc
• Domaine de Chevalier Blanc
• Château Lespault-Martillac Blanc
• Château Pape Clément Blanc
• Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Les Hauts de Smith Blanc
• Château Cantelys Blanc
• Château de Fieuzal Blanc
• Château Carbonnieux Blanc
• Château Latour-Martillac Blanc
• Château Olivier Blanc
• Château Carbonnieux Blanc

Red standouts

• Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion
• Domaine de Chevalier

Red highlights

• Château Haut-Brion
• Château La Mission Haut-Brion
• Château Smith Haut Lafitte
• Château Carbonnieux
• Château Couhins-Lurton
• Château La Garde
• Château Cantelys
• Château Haut-Bailly
• Château Malartic-Lagravière
• Château Pape Clément
• Château Latour-Martillac

See all 79 Pessac-Léognan 2024 en primeur wines tasted

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