Château Haut-Brion’s 2024 vintage release, encompassing both its red and white wines, reinforces the estate’s stature as a Bordeaux First Growth. Launched in a challenging vintage, the 2024 offerings combine competitive pricing with strong critical acclaim, highlighting their significance in the global wine market.
The 2024 Haut-Brion red is priced at €240 per bottle ex-négociant, a notable reduction from €312 in 2023, aligning with 2014 and 2012 levels. This pricing, well below peaks like €516 in 2022 or €730 in 2010, contrasts with recent vintages such as 2020 (€432) or 2018 (€408), offering strong value for a First Growth in a year marked by climatic difficulties.
Critics praise the 2024 Haut-Brion red, awarding scores of 93-97 for its elegance and depth. Jeb Dunnuck sees it as a potential vintage standout, noting blackcurrant, graphite, and violet aromas with a seamless texture. Antonio Galloni highlights its brooding black fruit and spice in a blend of 47.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37.5% Merlot, and 15.3% Cabernet Franc. Neal Martin emphasizes vibrant fruit and fine tannins, while William Kelley credits its perfumed, sappy character to the high Cabernet Franc proportion. Jane Anson notes a classical cocoa and redcurrant style, and Lisa Perrotti-Brown praises its layered charm. Drinking windows of 2028-2055 suggest excellent aging potential.
The 2024 Haut-Brion Blanc, priced at €540 per bottle ex-négociant, matches 2023’s pricing, offering stability compared to the €600 seen in vintages like 2022, 2021, and 2018-2011. This consistent pricing reinforces its position in the premium white wine market, with its critical reception underscoring its quality in the 2024 vintage.
Critics award the 2024 Haut-Brion Blanc scores of 93-100, lauding its finesse and complexity in a blend of 56.1% Sémillon and 43.9% Sauvignon Blanc. Lisa Perrotti-Brown’s 98-100 highlights its silky citrus and saline depth, while Antonio Galloni (95-97) praises its creamy marzipan and lemon confit notes. Neal Martin (95-97) notes a reserved lime and gooseberry profile, Jane Anson (95) emphasizes white peach and structured acidity, William Kelley (93-94) admires its smoky, iodine-laced fruit, and Jeb Dunnuck (93-95) highlights balanced citrus and stone fruit. Drinking windows of 2026-2050 indicate strong aging prospects.
The 2024 Haut-Brion releases showcase the estate’s ability to excel in a difficult vintage. The red’s lower pricing may influence pricing trends among First Growths, while the white’s high scores enhance its appeal in secondary markets and auctions. Both wines benefit from Haut-Brion’s Pessac terroir, which ensures riper fruit despite the year’s challenges, reflecting thoughtful winemaking.
Haut-Brion’s 2024 red and white wines deliver exceptional quality at accessible price points for their pedigree. The red offers elegance and value, while the white sets a benchmark for Bordeaux blancs with its outstanding scores. These releases underscore Haut-Brion’s winemaking prowess, marking them as notable in the 2024 vintage for the global wine community.
