2023 En Primeur | Which wines to buy in a large format?

Magnums being sold En Primeurs

There are plenty of compelling reasons to buy your large formats, especially when it comes to En Primeur wines. Among these, the two main ones are the excellent ageing potential and conviviality afforded by such formats. We’ve put together a list of recommendations you won’t want to miss!

Firstly, allow us to remind you that our full En Primeur selection is available in various formats, including magnums. Some wines also come in double magnums (3 litres) and imperial sizes (6 litres), upon request and depending on quantities. Feel free to get in touch with our team for further information (by phone on +33 (0)5 35 54 15 30 or by email at primeurs@idealwine.com).

If you have any doubts or questions about the benefits of acquiring magnums, Angélique de Lencquesaing shared her thoughts a few years ago on these large formats from an investment perspective, speaking to the French news channel BFM.

5 large format bottles for ageing

As we already mentioned, wines age wonderfully in magnums and other large formats, which are particularly well suited to long ageing periods. We’ve selected 5 superb wines available in magnums and possibly larger formats, which could become real treasures in your cellar.

This relatively powerful Saint-Estèphe, with silky tannins and floral aromas, should be ready to drink at its best between 5 and 20 years (2028–2043). Allow a few more years for magnums.

This Haut-Médoc, produced by the Frey family (Caroline Frey of La Lagune), needs at least 5–6 years in the cellar and offers a great ageing potential of around 30 years.

This Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé B will be ready relatively young, within 3 years, and will reach its peak in around 15 years.

This Pauillac will be ready to drink within 4 years and can be cellared for up to 15 years (2027–2038).

This Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé B will easily age beautifully in your cellar for 4 to 15 years.

5 large formats to serve at large convivial gatherings

Large-format bottles are the perfect choice if you’re hosting a big meal or event with lots of guests. They’re practical, convivial and generous! So here’s a selection of 5 wines we strongly recommend. These are elegant and quaffable wines that you can open on any such occasion.

This particularly silky, voluptuous Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé will impress with tender meats such as beef, duck or pork, or vegetable-based dishes such as glazed aubergine.

This Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel situated in Saint-Estèphe started converting to organic methods in 2020. It combines freshness, density and a fine tannic structure, and will go very well with barbecued meats.

This Pessac-Léognan is extremely supple, silky and fresh. It will pair well with charcuterie or white meat dishes (poultry, pork, veal).

This Margaux is known for its remarkable finesse and intense fruitiness. It is a great partner for terrines served with red fruit or meat dishes such as game with cranberry sauce, beef Wellington, etc.

This Moulis-en-Médoc reveals a relatively rich, powerful character and is a great choice for a fine piece of barbecued meat, such as a beef steak in a red wine sauce – think entrecôte à la Bordelaise.

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