Discover our selection of fine Rhône wines offered en primeur from the 2025 and 2024 vintages, sourced directly from the estates.
Rhône En Primeur 2025: a closer look at the vintage
Northern Rhône: unexpected freshness for a sun-drenched vintage
The 2025 vintage began with a generous winter. Abundant rainfall replenished the soils deep down, providing the vines with a water reserve that recent, drier vintages had not always allowed. Budbreak took place within average timeframes.
Two heatwaves, in June and then in August, sharply concentrated the berries and reduced volumes (sometimes by half for certain whites). The harvest window narrowed, forcing picking to begin as early as mid-August in the earliest sectors.
The reduced yields call for particularly careful selection. The reds, led by Syrah, display a dense and precise substance, carried by a freshness that is remarkable for such a sun-drenched vintage. The whites (notably Marsanne and Roussanne) reveal elegant profiles, with ample textures and energetic finishes.
Southern Rhône: severe drought, surprisingly fresh wines
Further south, the early character of the vintage came as a surprise: the 2025 harvest began two weeks ahead of 2024, and certain appellations such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and Cairanne harvested simultaneously, something rarely seen. Faced with a summer marked by severe drought and intense heat, constant responsiveness was essential.
The Mistral played its cleansing role, preserving the health of the bunches despite demanding conditions. The berries, small and concentrated, delivered juices rich in colour and aromas, with fine maturity levels.
The southern reds promise to be generous and structured, with a density carried by Grenache, preserved freshness and remarkable length. The whites, for their part, display crisp minerality and vibrant aromatics.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Rhône en primeur wine?
En primeur wines are wines purchased before their final bottling, while they are still being aged in the estate's cellars. This practice, long associated with the great Bordeaux châteaux, has gradually extended to other regions, including the Rhône Valley. Would you like to better understand this system? Visit our dedicated page: "What are wine futures?".
When are Rhône en primeur wines released?
Rhône wines are generally offered en primeur in the spring following the harvest, that is, about six to eight months after picking.
Which Rhône appellations can offer en primeur wines?
In the northern Rhône Valley, the appellations Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas and Saint-Joseph are the preferred grounds for lovers of characterful Syrah, accounting for the bulk of en primeur offerings. In the south, Châteauneuf-du-Pape stands unquestionably as the absolute reference of the region.
In our catalogue, several great houses have chosen this method of release, including M. Chapoutier, Tardieu-Laurent and Yves Cuilleron.
When will the wines be delivered?
Delivery takes place after bottling at the château, that is, between late 2027 and early 2028 depending on the estate. During the ageing period, the wines are kept in the châteaux's cellars. Millésima then receives them and ships them directly to you.
Why buy en primeur?
Buying en primeur allows you to acquire the most sought-after wines and vintages while they are still in barrel. It is a unique opportunity to invest in a fine wine before its bottling and release on the market.
Rhône en primeur wines: discover the 2024 vintage
2024, a vintage shaped by unpredictable weather
The 2024 vintage in the Rhône Valley was marked by demanding weather. The mild and dry winter triggered an early budbreak, followed by a rainy spring that encouraged coulure and mildew, especially on Grenache. A late frost in April and a few hail episodes also struck. Fortunately, summer proved warm without excess, dry and ventilated by the Mistral, favouring even ripening. Thanks to the water reserves, no drought-related stress was observed. Véraison, although slightly late, took place under good conditions, with healthy berries.
2024 harvest: late but of high quality!
The 2024 en primeur harvest began in early September for the whites, nearly a week behind the average, and continued until mid-September for the reds, making 2024 a relatively late vintage.
The harvest was fragmented and closely monitored, with each plot picked at optimum ripeness to preserve the freshness and aromatic expression of the grape varieties. Despite the return of the sun in August and early September, the volumes harvested are low, a direct consequence of the spring weather hazards.
Profile of the Rhône en primeur wines
The whites: Lively, pure and taut, with marked acidity and moderate alcohol levels. Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier deliver floral and mineral profiles that are highly drinkable.
The reds: Balanced, fresh, aromatic and deeply coloured, they combine concentration and acidity. The tannins, ripe and silky, provide fine structure. The style, more drinkable than that of sun-drenched vintages, offers excellent cellaring potential, notably in Cornas, Hermitage and Saint-Joseph.
