Harvest and vintage 28 August 2026

Bordeaux 2025 en primeur: mixed reviews, cautious pricing

Vintage character Competent; mixed Médoc, stronger right bank

Pricing vs 2024 Largely flat

Best areas Pomerol, St-Émilion (selected parcels)

Release window Spring 2026 campaign

The Bordeaux 2025 en primeur campaign has drawn cautious assessments from leading critics. The consensus from Decanter, Jancis Robinson MW and Wine Advocate is that 2025 produced solid, commercial wine across the Médoc but lacked the excitement of exceptional vintages like 2016, 2019 or 2022. Pomerol and several St-Émilion parcels — benefitting from their Merlot-dominant blends and earlier harvest timing — fared better, and these are receiving the strongest critical endorsements.

Pricing reflects the vintage's standing. Most châteaux have released at prices flat or marginally below 2024, with a handful of right-bank estates testing modest increases on the strength of their individual parcel results. First Growth releases (Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Mouton Rothschild, Haut-Brion) followed the usual pattern of releasing in tranches over several weeks.

What made 2025 mixed

The 2025 growing season opened well — a dry spring and moderate temperatures allowed good flowering and fruit set. July was warm but not extreme, and the first half of August looked promising. The complication was August rainfall: several rain events in the second half of the month raised disease pressure (mildew, rot) and diluted phenolic ripeness in some plots, particularly in the lower-lying, heavier clay soils of the Médoc's central communes. Well-drained, gravelly plots — including many of the Cru Classé estates that are classified partly because of their drainage — fared considerably better.

The right bank (Pomerol and St-Émilion) picked Merlot earlier — before the late August rainfall — and saw less dilution. The best Pomerol wines show a concentrated, plush fruit profile consistent with a ripe, well-managed year. For background on how climate and soil interact with wine quality, see the Cool and warm climate styles guide.

Buying advice

For most buyers, 2025 Bordeaux is not a compelling en primeur vintage — there is no strong reason to pay today for wine that arrives in 2027 when the arbitrage versus discounted back-vintages is minimal. The exception is if you want specific allocations of highly sought Pomerol properties (Pétrus, Le Pin, Lafleur) where demand exceeds supply regardless of vintage quality. For everyday Bordeaux drinking, well-priced 2018, 2019 or 2020 wines represent better value. Use the style questionnaire to work out whether a structured Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant style or a softer Merlot-dominated approach suits your palate.

Critical assessments: Decanter, Jancis Robinson MW, Wine Advocate. Regional data: Bordeaux Wine Trade Council. Published 28 August 2026. Corrections via the contact form.

Questions

About Bordeaux and en primeur.

What is en primeur buying?

En primeur (also called "futures" or "wine futures") is the practice of purchasing wine before it has been bottled — typically in the spring following the harvest, when the wine is still ageing in barrel. You pay now and receive the wine two to three years later, once it has been bottled and shipped. The system originated in Bordeaux but is also used in some Burgundy, Rhône and Italian appellations. The Decanter and Jancis Robinson MW websites publish detailed en primeur assessments each spring.

Is en primeur a good way to buy Bordeaux?

It depends on the vintage and the price. En primeur made sense historically when prices rose sharply between release and bottling. After years of price inflation peaking around 2010–2011, the arbitrage has narrowed considerably. For an exceptional, investment-grade vintage where prices are expected to rise, en primeur can still offer value. For a competent but not exceptional vintage like 2025, buying on release or at discount from merchant stock is often a better option for most buyers. The Appellations explained guide covers the Bordeaux classification system that underpins en primeur pricing.

How does the Bordeaux classification work?

The Médoc's 1855 Classification divides Châteaux into First through Fifth Growth (Premier Cru through Cinquième Cru). Only Mouton Rothschild has been reclassified since 1855 (elevated to First Growth in 1973). St-Émilion has its own classification, revised periodically — most recently controversially in 2022. Pomerol has no official classification. The underlying appellation rules are set by the INAO. For how appellations work more broadly, see the Appellations explained guide.

What grape varieties are used in Bordeaux?

Red Bordeaux blends are led by Cabernet Sauvignon (dominant in the Médoc) or Merlot (dominant on the right bank — Pomerol, St-Émilion), with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec as supporting varieties. White Bordeaux uses Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, with some Muscadelle. Sauternes and Barsac sweet wines are made from botrytis-affected Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. The main grape varieties guide covers Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc in detail.

When will 2025 Bordeaux be available to drink?

For top Médoc and right-bank châteaux, the 2025 vintage will be bottled approximately 18–24 months after harvest (i.e. late 2026 to early 2027) and then require further cellaring before drinking — typically 5–10 years for Cru Classé wines from good vintages, longer for First Growths. Entry-level Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur are typically bottled and sold within 12–18 months of harvest and are made to drink younger. For storage guidance see the Store guide.