Burgundy 2024 En Primeur | Vintage Report
Burgundy 2024 En Primeur | Vintage report
A Selective Vintage Defined by Precision and Site
The 2024 Burgundy vintage was shaped less by cold temperatures than by sustained rainfall, elevated humidity, and a marked lack of sunshine. While the year has often been characterised as difficult or even severe, outcomes varied widely depending on vineyard position, drainage, and the responsiveness of individual growers. As a result, 2024 is best understood as a selective vintage, where quality was determined by precision in the vineyard and decisiveness at harvest rather than by favourable conditions.
Yields were significantly reduced across the region, in some cases dramatically so, reinforcing the importance of careful producer selection. Where challenges were met with rigorous vineyard management and disciplined winemaking, the resulting wines offer clarity, balance, and a strong sense of place.
The Growing Season: Persistent Rainfall and Limited Sunshine
Following a dry late summer in 2023, rainfall increased sharply from mid-autumn and continued with little interruption through much of the winter and spring. Although temperatures remained close to long-term averages, and at times marginally warmer, persistent cloud cover and limited sunshine defined the season.
Budbreak occurred earlier than usual after a mild winter, increasing frost sensitivity in certain areas during late April. While damage was uneven, parts of Chablis, the Hautes Côtes, and select Chardonnay sites were particularly affected. Spring and early summer were dominated by frequent rainfall, which delayed vine development and disrupted flowering, especially for Pinot Noir.
These conditions created intense disease pressure, with mildew proving a significant challenge throughout the region. Lower-lying and poorly drained parcels were most vulnerable, while well-exposed hillside sites with better airflow and drainage were more manageable. The season increasingly rewarded experience, resources, and the ability to intervene at the right moment.
Mid-Summer Conditions and the Narrow Harvest Window
Rainfall remained a feature through early summer, with only limited respite until late July. Although temperatures from April to August were broadly in line with historical norms, reduced sunshine slowed ripening and compounded the effects of earlier challenges.
August brought some improvement, though conditions remained unsettled in places. As harvest approached, uncertainty persisted, particularly in the Côte de Nuits and Chablis, where losses were most acute. Prospects were relatively better in the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais, where rainfall levels had been lower and vine health more consistent.
From mid-September, drier conditions finally established themselves, creating a compressed and decisive harvest window. Picking dates were tightly clustered across Burgundy, leaving little room for stylistic divergence. Success depended on precise timing and careful selection, as delays risked dilution while premature harvesting risked under-ripeness.
The Wines
White Wines
Chardonnay proved more resilient in 2024, benefiting from comparatively favourable flowering conditions and a greater ability to withstand disease pressure. The best white wines are defined by balance, freshness, and moderate alcohol, with expressive aromatics and well-defined structure.
While many examples will be approachable in their youth, the finest wines also possess sufficient tension and energy for mid- to long-term ageing. Stylistically, the vintage favours precision and minerality over richness, offering a more classical profile that will appeal to those who value clarity and finesse.
Red Wines
Pinot Noir presented a more variable picture. Disrupted flowering, high disease pressure, and uneven ripening resulted in inconsistent outcomes, particularly in sites less suited to the conditions. Where yields were carefully managed and sorting was rigorous, the best reds show purity of fruit, fresh acidity, and supple tannins.
Overall, the red wines tend towards elegance and accessibility rather than power or concentration. Many are expected to drink well relatively early, though select examples from well-managed vineyards may reward short- to mid-term cellaring.
Variability and the Importance of Producer Selection
Variability is the defining feature of the 2024 vintage. Differences between appellations, villages, and even adjacent parcels were pronounced, reflecting the highly localised impact of weather events and disease pressure.
As such, producer selection is paramount. The most compelling wines come from growers who combined attentive vineyard work with restraint in the cellar, allowing site expression to emerge despite the challenges of the year.
Buying Perspective
From a buying standpoint, the 2024 Burgundy vintage offers opportunities for those seeking wines defined by freshness, balance, and transparency rather than scale or intensity. While availability will be limited due to reduced yields, selective purchasing, particularly among white wines and from trusted producers, can be highly rewarding.
For collectors and enthusiasts prepared to focus on quality over quantity, 2024 provides a nuanced snapshot of Burgundy’s ability to adapt and deliver characterful wines under demanding conditions.
