Buying Bordeaux En Primeur

New to En Primeur, or just haven’t bought it online before? Consider this your cheat sheet ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Each spring, Bordeaux releases its newest vintage to the market, while the wines are still ageing in barrel.


Known as En Primeur, this system offers early access to some of the region’s most sought-after wines on their release, often before they are widely available.

For those looking to build a cellar, it remains one of the most compelling ways to buy Bordeaux. Along with guidance from our fine wine team as the campaign unfolds. You can expect:

• Early access to limited allocations

•  Recommendations as wines are released

•  Support in building a considered, long-term cellar

Wines offered En Primeur don’t tend to hang around. Demand is high, allocations are tight, and part of the appeal is exactly that, the thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of getting in early, and the quiet smugness when your cases eventually arrive. 

Whether you are just starting your fine wine journey or already deep into it, buying on release offers clear advantages for both drinkers and collectors alike.
With the 2025 campaign fast approaching, if you would like to follow the campaign as it develops, get in touch with our team. 

Why Buy Bordeaux En Primeur?


Buying En Primeur allows you to secure wines while they are still maturing in barrel, often before they are more widely available.

Alongside guaranteed perfect provenance, for many collectors, it offers:

• Access to sought-after wines that may be difficult to find later
• The opportunity to buy at opening release prices
• A way to build a cellar with long-term ageing potential
• Access to exclusive, off-shelf wines including access to a full range of bottle sizes

How En Primeur Works

The En Primeur system is relatively straightforward, although the timeline differs from buying physical stock:

1. Wines are released early
Châteaux release their wines while they are still ageing in barrel, typically the spring following harvest

2. You secure your allocation
Wines are offered at release price, and purchases are made at this stage, via pre-orders or on allocation.

3. The wines continue to mature
They remain in barrel for a further period, usually 12 to 24 months

4. Bottling and delivery
Once bottled, the wines are shipped, either to your home or into professional storage. 

What happens during the campaign?


En Primeur releases take place in stages over several weeks, with different châteaux releasing their wines on different days.

During this time:

  • Allocations for certain wines can be limited
  • Prices may evolve as demand becomes clearer
  • Some wines sell through quickly after release
For those following the campaign, we provide updates as key wines are released, along with recommendations from our buying team.

How To Buy En Primeur Online?

There are two main ways to buy En Primeur wines online, depending on how they are released and the level of demand.

Some wines are available to pre order ahead of release, while others, particularly those in highest demand, are offered on allocation.

Understanding the difference can help you decide how to approach the campaign:

Pre Order

Before Bordeaux prices are officially released, wines will appear online with an estimated price range. If something catches your eye, or it's a wine you know you want in your cellar, you can place a pre-order. Simply add to basket and check out, no payment is taken at this stage. Once the château releases its price, your card will be charged accordingly. 

Wines on Allocation



Some of the most sought-after wines are offered on allocation, meaning availability is limited and demand is, unsurprisingly, high.

Allocations are based on several factors, including your past purchases from that producer and your broader buying history.

 

If you’d like to be considered, add the wine to your basket and complete checkout as normal. You won’t be charged, but our Fine Wine team will follow up to confirm whether your request has been successful. Fingers crossed.


Pricing


We expect Bordeaux châteaux release prices throughout May, often at a pace that keeps everyone on their toes. We will share key releases, but if you would like to be more updated on all releases, please get in touch.

Initially, most wines will show an estimated price range, based on our Fine Wine team’s projections. Once the official château price is released, this will update on the site, at which point you can buy as usual.

Timing, as ever with Bordeaux, is everything.

How we can help


Our fine wine team works closely with clients throughout the En Primeur campaign.

We can:

  • Recommend wines aligned with your preferences and goals
  • Help you build a balanced and coherent case
  • Secure allocations where availability is limited
  • Arrange storage and manage delivery when the wines are ready

If you would like to discuss the campaign in advance, we would be very happy to help.

Following the 2026 releases


Some of the most sought-after wines are allocated quickly once released.

If you would like to keep track of the 2026 campaign, get in touch with our team to join our release list to receive updates as the wines become available.

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