The 2025 Bordeaux En Primeur campaign has generated more questions than any vintage in recent memory—about quality, pricing, tariffs, and whether to buy now or wait. Here are the answers to the questions we're hearing most from collectors, with links to the full analysis where relevant.
I don't think Bordeaux 2025 compares to anything else, from the growing season to the En Primeur campaign. Harvests were as early as they've been since 1989 and yields were as low as they were in 1961. The solar vintage seemed to hint at 2022, but the result is something far more restrained. It's with these thoughts that I'd advise throwing all other vintage comparisons out the window and consider 2025 like this: there are a lot of remarkable wines that are very refreshing in style, complex in structure, and at prices that range from sharp to can't miss.
When speaking of Bordeaux, Graves and Pessac-Léognan are often left out of the conversation when discussing the Left Bank/Right Bank divide. This is a glaring omission. Some of the region's best wines and values can be found here—and in 2025, the appellation delivered at every level, from the grand crus to the everyday drinking wines, and from the reds to what may be the finest dry whites of the entire campaign.
2025 Bordeaux is one of the strongest vintages in recent memory, released at prices that may not last. The campaign is winding down, larger formats are going first, and the best allocations are already moving. Here is how to make sure you don't miss it.
Where the Left Bank impressed with structure and precision, the Right Bank was about texture. We spent the first half of our trip across the Médoc and Pessac-Léognan, and the wines were stunning. But the moment we crossed to the Right Bank, the whole character of the vintage shifted under our feet. Where the usual suspects of the Haut-Médoc and the Graves showed depth and promise, the Merlot- and Cabernet Franc-dominated wines of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol gave us something more generous—silky, expressive wines layered with minerality.
The 2025 Left Bank delivered across all four major appellations—but not uniformly, and not in the way recent vintages have prepared us for. Pauillac produced wines of extraordinary density off half the usual crop. Saint-Julien was the steadiest appellation of the entire campaign, top to bottom. Margaux, rescued by sixty millimeters of rain at exactly the right moment, was the appellation of the vintage. And Saint-Estèphe's clay gave the commune a tension the south had to chase. Here is what we found.
If you asked me to describe my perfect Bordeaux vintage, I'd say good concentration, purity, freshness, with moderate levels of alcohol. Balance and full ripeness, but with a sense of weightlessness and texture. That is very nearly exactly what 2025 delivered.
This is a fascinating time for Bordeaux. The wines are as good as they have ever been, and pricing for many releases has fallen to levels that remind us of campaigns from a decade ago. Few regions in the world can offer this combination of pedigree, quality, ageability, and value.
From our Bordeaux Buyer Ryan Moses, Director of Auctions John Christensen, and Private Client Services Advisor Chelsea Herholdt, we bring you a lineup of some of our most collectible bottlings from producers who continue to inspire. With the goal of introducing—or reintroducing—you to bottles that promise to delight for years to come, we're thrilled at the opportunity to dive into these stellar selections from some of the world's very best.
Read MoreThis month, our auction block is brimming with exceptional lots from some of the most coveted producers in the world. Whether you're seeking investment-grade Bordeaux, rare Burgundian treasures, Cult classics from California, or the pillars of Champagne, our currently live lots present an incredible opportunity to add legendary bottles to your collection.
Read MoreThere are few rollercoaster rides in the wine world quite like being a Burgundy fan. I like to joke that if you just look at a bottle wrong, it might decide to spite you and have an “off day” when you open it. Being one of the most finicky fine wines, it raises the question: why do people chase it so fervently? Because when you catch it at the right time, there is no taste more glorious, wine or not. A bottle of Burgundy in its finest form carries nuance and depth that is paralleled only by the finest flavors in existence on Earth far beyond wine.
Read MoreI’ll be the first to admit—with all the tumult in the wine industry these days, it’s been a bit more than an uphill battle to restock our shelves. That said, I’m absolutely thrilled with some of our current selections, from everyday values to top collectibles. Here are a few finds that you won’t want to miss, and some of the stories behind them.
Read MoreMy love affair with Rhône wines can't possibly be attributed to a single quality, yet the sheer versatility of this region, in terms of food pairing, stands unmatched in my mind. From elegant whites perfect for spring dishes, to incredibly versatile red blends (ideal companion for burger night, anyone?), to world-class rarities reserved for life's most special moments - this lineup genuinely offers something for everyone.
Read MoreOne of the categories that I love but does not get a lot of attention is the white wines of the Rhône Valley. I think there is so much to unpack here, it would take a few newsletter articles to do it all justice. I love that these wines do not fit the mold of the more famous white varieties like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc—and they are about as far away as you can get from wines like Riesling and Pinot Grigio. The Northern Rhône is home to Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne grapes. The mostly granitic and alluvial soils make for beautiful stone-fruited wines that can be both aromatically expressive, like Viognier, or heady and rich like Marsanne and Roussanne.
Read MoreAs St. Patrick’s Day approaches, there’s no better time to raise a glass to Ireland’s rich drinking traditions. Whether you’re reaching for a classic stout, an exceptional Irish whiskey, or a craft-distilled gin, we have the perfect selections to mark the occasion. From unbeatable beer picks to rare, collectible spirits, explore our expertly curated lineup and discover the best of Irish craftsmanship. Cheers to a spirited celebration!
Read MoreOne of the best parts of my job is finding amazing new California wines to share with you. This lineup has a little bit of everything—crisp Sauvignon Blancs for sunny days, hidden-gem wineries making waves with small-lot wines, and even exclusive Napa library releases. I’m also especially excited about our upcoming tasting, where we’ll explore wines from California’s prehistoric seabeds. Whether you’re looking for an everyday favorite or a rare collectible, these picks are some of the most exciting bottles out there right now.
Read MoreVery few wines in Napa have even a fraction of the pedigree and quality you'll find in the wines from Ad Vivum. They are sourced exclusively from one of the best parcels in one of the most highly respected vineyards in Yountville and hand crafted by a winemaker with unbelievable experience and excellence. Ad Vivum is a small project from longtime veteran winemaker Chris Phelps. Chris gained a degree in viticulture and enology at UC Davis before heading to France to further his studies at the University of Bordeaux. After becoming friends with mentor and vigneron Christian Moueix, Chris worked at Château Petrus in Pomerol and several other Moueix properties in the region. Earning his trust and respect, Moueix then handpicked Chris to become the founding winemaker of his new venture in Napa Valley—Dominus.
Read MoreHendry Estate is a true hidden gem and one of my favorite places in all of Napa Valley. The wines are great, the views are beautiful, the surroundings calm and serene. But perhaps more importantly than any of those things, spending an hour or two at Hendry is like stepping back into a bygone era of Napa Valley. An era when multigenerational farming families worked the land together. An era when specific blocks of land were planted to varieties that made the most sense for quality and expression of place rather than an economic calculation of what variety would yield the highest return on investment.
Read MoreRarely have I ever tasted through a line up of wines from a producer I have never heard of before and been so flat-out stunned. My first thought was, “How have I never heard of or tasted these wines before!?” It’s not that I expect to know every producer in the market, but I do pride myself in keeping my finger on the pulse of what’s going on and who is making exciting wines—so when a new (to me) winery pops up, in a region so near and dear to my heart, and blows me away… it’s a (happy) surprise. That’s exactly what happened recently with my first exposure to Common Thread wines.
Read MoreOne of my favorite things about the Iberian Peninsula is that there’s always something new to discover. After many years on my wine journey, I’m still finding new gems here—and it's my job to know them! Sometimes it’s an undiscovered region with centuries of grape-growing history, or a reimagined variety or style. I especially love discovering new grape varieties. With so many great wines out there, it's easy to overlook hidden gems, but today I’m here to share a few for you to explore on your own wine journey. From best buy Riojas, to under-the-radar Portuguese deals, and hard to come by collectibles, this selection has a little bit of something for everyone. Enjoy!
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