En primeur sales (also known as wine futures) are a historic pillar of the Bordeaux wine trade—a virtually unique system in the world that allows buyers to purchase wines before they are bottled. In practical terms, it means buying wines while they are still ageing in barrel, well ahead of final delivery, which usually takes place 18 to 24 months later. Long the preserve of the Grands Crus Classés and the most prestigious estates, this mechanism, deeply rooted in Bordeaux's DNA, is now opening up to other properties.

The en primeur cycle: from barrel tasting to the trade

Every spring following the harvest (for instance, in spring 2024 for the 2023 vintage), a buzz fills the vineyard. Châteaux present barrel samples of their wine to professionals from across the globe: critics, négociants, and courtiers (brokers). These dedicated tasting weeks offer experts the opportunity to assess the fledgling vintage, gauge its potential, and anticipate its evolution. Following these initial evaluations and ratings from influential critics, the châteaux release their "en primeur" release prices.

Commercial distribution then operates through a well-established network: the famous Place de Bordeaux. Châteaux allocate their cuvées via brokers (courtiers), who distribute them in turn to wine merchants (négociants). These négociants ultimately offer the wines to importers, distributors, and, increasingly, directly to private clients around the world. This intricate system ensures wide distribution and contributes to the international renown of Bordeaux wines.

Benefits and opportunities of buying en primeur

For buyers, purchasing en primeur offers two main benefits. On the one hand, it allows them to secure highly sought-after wines, often produced in limited quantities. On the other, the goal is frequently to acquire these wines at a potentially more advantageous price than once the bottled stock reaches the market (although this is never guaranteed and depends heavily on the vintage's trajectory and market conditions). For the châteaux, the system has historically represented a vital way to secure early cash flow after the harvest, thereby financing barrel ageing operations and future investments.

How an en primeur campaign unfolds

An en primeur campaign typically unfolds in several key stages. Following barrel sample tastings and scores from specialised wine critics, the châteaux release their prices, often in tranches. The Bordeaux wine markets and the positioning of the vintage strongly influence these decisions. Allocations are then passed to négociants, who distribute them to end buyers. Payment is made upon ordering, well before bottling and shipping, which generally occur eighteen months to two years later. This time lag provides estates with liquidity to fund maturation and vineyard work.

En primeur at Château Cazebonne: supporting renewal and biodiversity

While the en primeur system has traditionally been the preserve of the most established estates, at Château Cazebonne we have chosen to offer an annual en primeur release on selected cuvées via our online boutique. For us, this is a unique opportunity to share our vision of a revitalised Bordeaux with our loyal customers. Buying our wines en primeur is far more than a simple transaction: it is a show of support for our pioneering work in reintroducing Bordeaux's forgotten grape varieties. Mauzac, Castets, Mancin, Pardotte… these varieties, once at the very heart of Bordeaux's identity, are regaining their rightful place in our vineyards, as highlighted in the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" by Jean-Baptiste Duquesne.

This work of remembrance and perseverance proves that it is possible to combine tradition and innovation, reviving an exceptional viticultural heritage while meeting the expectations of the modern market. Thanks to your trust and steadfast support, we can continue this adventure, crafting organic and biodynamic wines of rare quality, rich in history and biodiversity. Thank you for being part of this wonderful journey!

At Château Cazebonne, our commitment to environmentally friendly viticultural practices is unwavering. Our en primeur offer is a way for you to engage directly with our biodynamic Bordeaux project and our championing of forgotten grape varieties. This support enables us to keep exploring new avenues and crafting Bons Vins de Graves that tell a story. To delve deeper into the history of Bordeaux grape varieties, feel free to download the digital edition of the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" by clicking here. To test your knowledge and learn more about oenology, discover our wine quizzes. Finally, to explore our range of wines and support our approach, why not buy our wines direct from the estate in Bordeaux: the Cazebonne choice. Your support makes all the difference in the renewal of Bordeaux.