Château Cheval Blanc 2024 has been released at €276 per bottle ex-négociant, marking its lowest en primeur release price in over 15 years—even lower than the challenging 2013 vintage. With production down by 28.13% compared to 2023, and early critical reception placing it among the top wines of the year, the release stands out for both its rarity and restraint.
The 2024 vintage has received widespread acclaim. William Kelley (Wine Advocate) awarded it 94–96 points—his highest rating for the vintage—calling it “one of the stars.” Neal Martin (Vinous) gave it 93–95 points, praising its elegance, balance and “residual pepperiness.” Jane Anson scored it 94 points, describing it as precise, floral, and textural with “subtle complexity.” Antonio Galloni (Vinous) offered a more restrained 92–94 points, noting its soft fruit and accessible style, though calling it light in body. The consistency of praise across critics suggests this is one of the most complete and refined Cheval Blancs in recent years, made all the more attractive by its surprisingly modest price.
The wine is a blend of 48% Cabernet Franc, 48% Merlot, and a small proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, drawn from 37 of the estate’s 45 plots. The growing season saw contrasts: a dry summer with just 20mm of rain in July and August, followed by 140mm in September—the highest for that month since 2006. Harvest ran from September 18 to October 3. In response to uneven ripening caused by a prolonged flowering period, technical director Pierre-Olivier Clouet’s team conducted an aggressive green harvest and, exceptionally, used densimetric sorting to eliminate underdeveloped or overripe berries. Yields averaged 39 hectoliters per hectare, yet 34% of this volume was discarded, and only 70% of what remained was selected for the grand vin. The wine is aging in 100% new oak, with trials also underway in concrete tanks and amphorae, and it shows a pH of 3.62, suggesting freshness and aromatic clarity.
The €276 release price represents a 28.1% drop from 2023, and a dramatic 41.3% decline from 2022’s €470. For comparison, the last time Cheval Blanc was released below €300 was in 2013 and 2008, both far less celebrated vintages. Even during the global financial crisis of 2009, the 2008 vintage was priced at €300. Against that backdrop, the 2024 pricing appears not only cautious, but strategically aligned with shifting market conditions and demand for value-driven fine wines.
In today’s en primeur landscape, where pricing missteps can dampen campaign momentum, Cheval Blanc 2024’s positioning may prove prescient. With limited volume, high critical praise, and a price that recalls pre-2010 levels, it’s a release that commands attention—quietly but convincingly.
