Some nights just land in the memory bank with a big, bold stamp of “Unforgettable.” Last night was one of those. Thanks to a generous friend from Goedhuis Waddesdon and a warm welcome from Johnny Goedhuis himself, we found ourselves sipping through a bucket-list line-up of wines at none other than Spencer House. The stars of the show? The 2024 En Primeurs from Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Chateau Lafite Rothschild. And yes, we finished with the 2004 Mouton and 2014 Lafite on the terrace like absolute royalty.

Now, let’s get something out the way: I’d been bracing myself. After all, 2024 has been talked about like the awkward guest at a dinner party – lots of drama and very little expected charm. But here’s the surprise twist: these wines were not just good; they were quietly brilliant.

The Vintage That Nearly Wasn’t

Before diving into the glass, it’s worth understanding what made this vintage such a wildcard. The growing season was a weather rollercoaster – think mildew attacks, botrytis outbreaks, and enough rain to float a small vineyard. Pauillac’s yields, where both Mouton and Lafite reside, hit some of their lowest in decades. Yet, out of this muddy mess came something rather elegant.

Both Mouton and Lafite relied heavily on Cabernet Sauvignon to save the day, and save it they did. Mouton clocked in at 93% Cab; Lafite outdid itself at a staggering 96%. When Merlot had a meltdown, Cabernet came to the rescue – classic Pauillac poise under pressure.

Tasting Notes from the Frontline

Despite being unfinished – just six months in and not due for bottling for another year – these wines were already speaking in full sentences. The 2024 Mouton showed restrained power: layers of dark fruit, graphite, and a firm backbone of tannins that promise a graceful evolution. It’s not a flamboyant vintage, but then again, not every wine needs to strut. Some just walk in quietly and steal the show.

Lafite? Finesse in a glass. Elegant, composed, and utterly classical. Notes of cedar, crushed stone, and a savoury, seaweed-like finish (Neal Martin called it wakame). It’s the kind of wine that makes you pause mid-sentence.

And here’s the kicker – both châteaux pulled this off organically. Yes, 2024 marks Lafite’s first fully certified organic vintage. As if pulling off balance, depth, and poise in a year like this wasn’t enough.

Wines We Tasted

Here’s the full line-up we had the joy of tasting:

Baron Philippe de Rothschild:

• Aile d’Argent (white)
• Château d’Armailhac
• Château Clerc Milon
• Château Mouton Rothschild
• Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild

Duhart-Milon & Lafite Rothschild Line-up:

• Château L’Évangile (Merlot 80%)
• Château Duhart-Milon (Cabernet Sauvignon 78%)
• Carruades de Lafite
• Château Lafite Rothschild (Cabernet Sauvignon 96%)
• Le Blanc de Duhart-Milon (white)

Each glass told a story of resilience and expert craftsmanship. The red wines may be youthful, but they carry the promise of something far greater in time.

The Investment Angle – When Wine Makes Sense

If you’re the type who buys wine to drink, good news. These are set to be earlier drinkers compared to powerhouses from years like 2022 or 2018. But if you’re looking at it through the lens of value and investment, then 2024 might just be a vintage to watch.

Let’s talk pricing. Mouton has dropped its en primeur release price by over 22% from last year. Lafite has slashed prices to their lowest since 2008. Both are signalling loud and clear: “Come on in, the water’s fine.” In a cautious market, this is a welcome change. Scarcity (lowest yields in decades), elegance, and First Growth pedigree at a relative bargain? Yes please.

Final Glass on the Terrace

As the sun dipped below the rooftops and we clinked glasses of 2004 Mouton and 2014 Lafite, the conversation naturally drifted from tasting notes to toasts. The earlier wines still fresh on the palate, the feeling was clear: Bordeaux 2024 had surprised us.

There’s a certain joy in having your expectations quietly challenged. I went in ready to nod politely at a wine that would need defending. I left with the thought, “These will be something special.”

So here’s my take – 2024 is no blockbuster, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a vintage for the patient, the poetic, and the price-savvy. If you’ve been thinking about dipping a toe back into en primeur waters, this might just be the moment.

And if you get an invite to Spencer House with these wines in hand? Don’t walk – run.

Cheers to the unexpected.