Bordeaux delivers a vintage of exception – concentrated, fresh, elegant – that joins the prestigious line of ‘years ending in 5’. Some wines from this En Primeur campaign are already out of stock at iDealwine (Cheval Blanc, for example), others are expected to follow. Here is our selection of the 10 must-have icons to acquire right now, before they sell out.
2025: a legendary vintage in the making
After a gruelling 2024, 2025 has arrived as a breath of fresh air. A “year to remember” as so said the vine science department of the University of Bordeaux, and the numbers support this: the smallest harvest since 1991 (-12% compared to 2024), pH levels among the lowest in recent years, moderate alcohol content (12.5% to 13.5%), and very dark colours.
The weather in 2025 was on a knife-edge. A scorching summer – with 41.6°C recorded in Bordeaux on 11 August – concentrated the grapes to the extreme. The lifesaving rains of 27 August then plumped up the grapes and restarted an ideal ripening process, giving the winegrowers an unusual freedom of choice during the harvest.
The result in the glass? The wines are “juicy, flavoursome, sophisticated, with a cashmere texture” (Le Figaro Vin) – far removed from the occasionally excessive opulence of 2022. Jean-Marc Quarin has awarded 11 ratings of 100/100, an absolute record, while Le Figaro Vin identifies six potentially perfect wines. The Left Bank excels particularly, driven by Cabernet Sauvignons of remarkable freshness and precision.
Thus, the volumes are more limited than usual, and some vineyards will produce half as many bottles as in a normal year. Thus, this En Primeurs campaign represent the ideal purchasing moment.
Our selection: the 10 icons of 2025
Here are the ten fantastic wines not to be missed, listed in descending price order.
Château Lafite Rothschild — Pauillac — €472 / bottle
Average rating: 98/100 | A potential 100/100 (Vinous, Le Figaro, Alexandre Ma)
The wine that garnered one of the strongest consensus from critics this year. “This nose embodies tranquillity in a glass, almost dizzying, where acacia, honeysuckle, violet, iris, and rose petal blend together. The palate is undulating, supple, like an ultra-soft cashmere,” writes Ella Lister in Le Figaro Wine (98-100/100) A Lafite at its best!
Château Margaux — Margaux — €471 / bottle
Average rating: 98/100 | 100/100 Falstaff, potential 100/100 (The WA, RVF, Le Figaro, Jane Anson)
Aromatic, airy, with lace-maker’s precision, 2025 Margaux embodies the very essence of its appellation. The property used only 13% of press wine in the blend, indicating absolute technical mastery. A wine for future celebrations.
Château Haut-Brion — Pessac-Léognan — €388 / bottle
Average rating: 97/100 | 100/100 Jean Marc Quarin, potential 100/100 (The WA)
Haut-Brion reigns over Pessac-Léognan. 2025 does not break this trend: controlled power, aromatic depth, a saline and persistent finish. A Premier Grand Cru Classé that will gracefully transcends the decades.
Château Figeac — Saint-Émilion Grand Cru — €161 / bottle
Average rating: 97/100
Since its elevation to Premier Grand Cru Classé A in 2022, Figeac continues to affirm its status. The blend of Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot leads to a fruity, silky wine with delicate tannins – the Figeac style at its best.
Château Montrose — Saint-Estèphe — €142.80 / bottle
Average rating: 98/100 | 100/100 Falstaff, potential 100/100 The WA, Vinous, Alexandre Ma
Owned by the Bouygues family, Montrose impresses every year and can compete in great vintages (like 2025) with premiers grands crus classés. This year, for the first time in the vineyard’s history, the harvest started on 29 August!
Cos d’Estournel — Saint-Estèphe — €118 / bottle
Average rating: 97/100
The flagship of Saint-Estèphe confirms its consistency vintage after vintage. The 2025 displays a beautiful tannic structure and an aromatic depth typical of the clay-gravel terroir of Cos. An excellent wine for ageing, to be opened in 10 to 20 years.
Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion — Pessac-Léognan — €105 / bottle
Average rating: 98/100 | 100/100 Falstaff and Jean Pomace Quarin
To describe the wine, which each year excites the crowds during the En Primeur campaign, what better than the conclusion of Jean-Marc Quarin who crowned it with a 100/100? “Wow! Magnificent! Tasted twice since the blend! It will last a hundred years.“
Château Canon — Saint-Émilion Grand Cru — €101 / bottle
Average rating: 97/100 | 100/100 Jean Marc Quarin, potential 100/100 Le Figaro and Vinous
Canon is one of the great successes of Saint-Émilion in 2025 and enjoyed one of the greatest critical acclaim of our selection. At this price, it is one of the most reasonably priced purchases on this list to constitute a fine cellar with a 15-year point of view.
Château Pontet-Canet — Pauillac — €86.40 / bottle
Average rating: 96/100 | 100/100 potential The WA
Pontet-Canet, a classified growth from Pauillac cultivated organically and biodynamically for years (before other properties followed suit), is one of the bestsellers on iDealwine! Once again this year, this potentially perfect wine, according to The Wine Advocate, dazzles with its “sweetness and remarkable elegance” stated La RVF.
Château Larcis Ducasse — Saint- Émilion — €58.20 / bottle
Average rating: 95/100
A small property of 11.2 hectares, Larcis Ducasse derives its nobility from its terraces whose terroir is composed of clay, limestone, molasses as well as oysters and shells. Dominated by Merlot (85%), the wine is completed by Cabernet Franc (15%). Upon tasting, it immediately became a favourite (and unanimously so!) among the three members of the iDealwine team who tasted it.
Shop all En Primeur wines
Read other En Primeur articles:
2025 En Primeurs | Vintage analysis and top picks from Sauternes
2025 En Primeurs | Vintage analysis and top picks from Médoc
