Bordeaux En Primeur 2025

Following a cool and relatively dry winter, the season began with significant rainfall in April (around 120 mm in parts of Saint-Émilion and Margaux for example), replenishing water reserves. Despite a generally successful and homogeneous flowering, the vintage was marked by low floral initiation, resulting in naturally reduced crop potential from the outset.

From May onwards, conditions turned predominantly dry, with only scattered and highly localized rainfall events throughout the summer. Crucially, intermittent rain in June helped maintain sufficient water reserves in many terroirs, mitigating the effects of the prolonged dry spell that followed.

The summer was characterised by continuous heat and hydric stress, including peaks above 40°C in mid-August. These conditions led to the formation of small berries with thick skins (particularly for Merlot) concentrating tannins and phenolic compounds, while significantly limiting juice yields. The consistently fine weather throughout the season also ensured exceptionally healthy fruit at harvest.

Periods of slowed or temporarily blocked maturation, combined with cool nights, played a key role in preventing excessive sugar accumulation, helping to avoid overly rich profiles and preserving balance, acidity and aromatic precision.

The turning point of the vintage came with timely rainfall at the end of August and early September, with around 30 mm in Pessac-Léognan, up to 60 mm in Saint-Émilion, and as much as 80 mm in Saint-Estèphe. These rains allowed the vines to resume physiological activity, softening grape skins, moderating potential alcohol levels, and refining tannin profiles.