J-3 countdown : Hospices de Beaune 2024
Tasting in 3 Days: Our Price Estimates & Targeted Wines
In the context of a continued global economic slowdown and a decrease in consumption of red wines (-4.5%), coupled with a very moderate media buzz around the 2024 vintage, we do not anticipate an increase in the average price per lot this year.
Although the number of lots available for sale is limited (see below), we believe there will be opportunities to buy on market dips, particularly in the red wine category.
Vintage Breakdown
| Vintage | Red | White | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 575 | 179 | 754 |
| 2024 | 321 | 118.5 | 439.5 |
| Difference | -254 lots | -60.5 lots | -314.5 lots |
Quality Overview:
Once again this year, despite 2024 being described as a “very challenging” vintage, the overall quality is consistently high. In our view, very few wines are “not worth buying.”
The quality level remains well above the average for the year: at the Hospices de Beaune, the white wines will be crisp, fresh, and pure—it’s the grand return of classic Burgundy Chardonnay!
As usual, the white wines will be highly contested at the auction, but unless prices skyrocket, several cuvées are on our radar, especially from the Meursault region.
The reds from the Hospices de Beaune are a success in this challenging vintage: they are much better than the average, offering a true Burgundian profile.
The aromas of fresh red fruits (crisp red cherry, currant) are clear and distinct. Medium-bodied, the 2024 reds are structured around a beautiful acidity and fine, silky tannins. They are juicy, easy-drinking wines with “high drinkability”—in other words, they will slip down effortlessly!
The best wines come from the Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune, and Corton areas, while Volnay also performs exceptionally well.
Naturally, we will focus our attention on these appellations.
Our Strategy and Targeted Wines:
This year, once again, we will only purchase wines if there is a dip in prices, adopting a wait-and-see approach.
We believe a decrease is possible, particularly at the beginning of the sales, where prices were notably firm last year.
Targeted cuvées for our purchases:
