Bordeaux 2024 En Primeur Roundup: A Vintage with Something to Prove
Written by - Aarash Ghatineh, CRO - Cult Wines
With recent vintages met by lukewarm demand, Bordeaux 2024 entered the En Primeur season with something to prove. Market pressures, shifting global demand, and increased scrutiny of release pricing created an environment where producers could no longer rely solely on their reputations. Many responded in kind, striking a balance between pride and pragmatism to re-engage collectors and investors.
Some of the most notable moves came early, with Château Lafite Rothschild releasing at a striking 30% discount to last year’s price, the lowest available in the market for any vintage. This set the tone for a campaign defined not by hype but by value. Standout wines from Pavie-Macquin, Clos Fourtet, and Léoville-Las-Cases showcase what this vintage does best: refined, precise winemaking offered at market-conscious prices.
While 2024 may not be remembered as a blockbuster vintage, it presents clear opportunities for those willing to be selective. For investors, it’s a chance to secure strong names at attractive entry points. For collectors, it’s a vintage that promises earlier drinking pleasure without sacrificing character or longevity.
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News in brief
European Wine Regions Hit Hardest by Climate Change, Study Finds
European wine producers are experiencing the most severe impacts of climate change, according to a new international study led by Dr Elizabeth Wolkovich from the University of British Columbia. Analysing over 500 grape varieties and 10 climate metrics, the research found Europe has seen the biggest rise in extreme heat days and peak growing season temperatures. While all wine regions are affected globally, Europe stands out for the scale of change, especially in heat-related conditions. The findings underscore growing challenges for traditional viticulture across the continent.
Sotheby’s to Launch Wine Lounge in Hong Kong Following Record Auction
Sotheby’s is set to open a dedicated wine shop and lounge within its Hong Kong Maison at Landmark Chater following the success of its inaugural live wine auction in March. The new venue, occupying a first-floor space previously held by Emporio Armani, aims to attract younger collectors by offering tastings, masterclasses, and social events. Designed by architecture firm MVRDV, the lounge will complement Sotheby’s existing 24,000-square-foot Maison, which has welcomed around half a million visitors since opening in July 2024.
US Tycoon Bill Koch to Auction $15m of Fine Wine
US billionaire and renowned wine collector Bill Koch is set to auction off over $15 million worth of fine wine through Sotheby’s in New York this June. The sale features Bordeaux and Burgundy icons, including Lafite, Pétrus, and DRC. This follows his 2016 auction, which raised $21.9 million. The three-day event will feature both live and online bidding, with Sotheby’s calling it one of the most significant single-owner wine sales in its history.
What we’re drinking
The Mascot, Napa Valley 2012
Jody Richardson, Director of Digital Innovation - Cult Wines
Pulled this bottle from the wine fridge for a special Easter weekend dinner, having waited a good while for the right occasion. The 2012 Mascot is a 13-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, made using the younger vines of the Harlan Estate, one of California’s most revered producers. Initially created as a private project by Will Harlan, son of the renowned winemaker Bill Harlan, for friends and family, it quickly gained a following and was later released commercially. It offers a fresher, more accessible take on the Harlan style without losing depth or character.
After a two-hour decant, the wine showed real elegance and balance. Dark fruit came through first, with plum and black cherry, followed by smooth layers of chocolate and a gentle touch of tobacco. The structure was firm but polished, with a generous body and a finish that continued with confidence. Styled much like a Bordeaux Cabernet, the 2012 vintage benefited from near-perfect growing and harvest conditions, and that resulting finesse is still very much present today.
A lovely bottle to open now if you have one tucked away, or well worth seeking out given the price and quality. It’s currently priced at around a fifth of the estate’s main offering, making it outstanding value. Elegant, expressive and a great reminder of how beautifully Napa Cabernet can age.
Our fine wine feature
Red Gold Rising in the Vineyards of China
Written by - Cult Wines Team
China is quietly transforming from wine outsider to fine wine contender. Once associated more with banquet toasts than cellar prestige, Chinese wine is now winning blind tastings, attracting global investors, and reshaping viticulture in some of the world's most challenging conditions. From hand-buried vines in Ningxia to high-altitude plots in Yunnan, this piece explores the grit, ambition, and evolution behind China's modern wine renaissance.
Through vivid storytelling, historical context, and on-the-ground insight, Red Gold Rising reveals how regions like Ningxia, Shandong, and Xinjiang are forging identities rooted in both ancient tradition and cutting-edge technique. Featuring producers like Silver Heights and perspectives from within the industry, it offers a timely look at a country redefining its relationship with wine.
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Explore & travel
A 48-Hour Getaway in Champagne: The Ultimate Tasting Journey
Written by - Paul Declerck, Relationship Manager - Cult Wines
Just a short train ride from Paris, Champagne reveals itself as more than a celebratory drink. It is a region shaped by tradition, terroir and time, where every glass reflects generations of care and craftsmanship.
This 48-hour journey moves through misty vineyards, historic cellars and candlelit dinners, capturing the many moods of Champagne with precision and pleasure.
From the purity of a Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs in Bouzy to a meditative tasting at Dom Pérignon, the experience highlights how deeply place and philosophy shape these wines. The trip ends beneath Ruinart’s ancient chalk cellars, where centuries of history meet modern elegance. Champagne is not just tasted here, it is felt.
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