En primeur offer: Rhône 2024 reds

A southern red from the northern Rhône master, this is a juicy, fruit-forward red and quaffable wine that delivers pure satisfaction. From fruit grown in Vinsobres, Séguret and the surrounding areas, sourced using Jean Louis’ many connections in the region. Drink from 2027 to 2029. 14.5%

Having tasted lots of older vintages this year, I am in no doubt that this wine will take on even more layers and complexity and enjoyment in a few years’ time. From old vines at the property, this is a wine that gives you a lot for your money. Richly textured with sour cherries, plums and brambles. Powerful yet not overpowering. Drink from 2027 to 2034. 14.5%

A really brooding Cairanne with ink, tapenade, brambles and violets. The tannins are mouthcoating and there is a generous dose of acidity that brings a tension to this fabulous red from a star estate. Drink from 2027 to 2033. 14%

A fleshy, bramble-fruited Gigondas with notes of liquorice and rosemary notes, and firm tannins. 70% grenache and 15% each of syrah mourvèdre, grown on limestone soil on the slopes at the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Drink from 2027 to 2033. Magnums (RH77844 @£79 per three) available. 14%

This great producer's straight Gigondas will stop you in your tracks, overdelivering for its price with density, ripeness of fruit and layers of spice and incense. The tannins are firm and when they resolve, this wine will be an absolute delight to drink. Drink from 2028 to 2036. 15%

A fleshy, bramble-fruited Gigondas with notes of liquorice and rosemary notes, and firm tannins. 70% grenache and 15% each of syrah mourvèdre, grown on limestone soil on the slopes at the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Drink from 2028 to 2035. Bottles (RH77841 @£77 per six) available. 14%

A savoury Vacqueyras with black olives, spice and some brambles and garrigue notes. From old vines surrounding the estate, this has firm, evident tannins that will need time to resolve. Drink from 2029 to 2035. Bottles (RH77811 @£60 per six) available. 14%

Hélène Thibon runs this biodynamic and organic estate based in Saint-Marcel d’Ardèche on the right bank of the Rhône. It’s a wonderfully calming place, surrounded by olive trees, beehives, fields of hay and grains, and flower and vegetable gardens. Her wines are as mesmerising and calming as the environment they come from, with this grenache, syrah and mourvèdre blend displaying sour cherries, cranberries and wild strawberries with chalky tannins and spice on the finish. Drink from 2027 to 2029. 14%

Madeline Ferran is doing great things at this Rasteau estate. The 2024 vintage has a lightness of touch, but that is also her style coming through. Wild herbs, flowers and red fruit with a silkiness on the palate and fine tannins. Aged exclusively in clay amphorae. Drink from 2027 to 2032. 14.5%

Cranberry and pomegranate notes with pencil shaving and sweet spice. The tannins are grippy and there is a freshness thanks to the altitude and the vintage. Drink from 2027 to 2031. 14.5%

Syrah from a windy, east-west-exposed parcel accounts for 90% of this blend. The vines are protected from the excessive afternoon heat by the hillside, giving a wine with ripe cherries, cassis, tapenade and firm, gravelly tannins. Drink from 2027 to 2031. 14%

This is a year where the freshness comes through and there is a lightness of touch and a focus to the wine. Pepper notes come to the fore and there are violets and wild flowers combined with a fine-grained tannin structure. Drink from 2027 to 2038. 13%

This small eight-hectare estate has produced an energetic Côtes-du-Rhône in 2024, with redcurrants, cherries, red plums and a touch of spice. Drink from 2027 to 2031. 15%

From an old hunting estate where this vineyard is surrounded by Châteauneuf vineyards, but designations dictate that they are outside of the appellation. This is a lovely energetic, fruity and spicy wine with plenty of character for the price. Thoroughly enjoyable southern red. Drink from 2027 to 2032. 14.5%

A new addition to our en primeur offer. Yields were heartbreaking low here at 7hl/ hectare due to mildew pressure throughout the growing season. A small but mighty red from this young winemaker, this has restrained concentration and a silky core with bright cherries, cranberries and wild flowers on the nose and fine tannins on the palate. Drink from 2027 to 2036. 14.5%

Talented young winemaker Paul Fumoso has been making the wine here in 2020 and is really entering his stride. Texture is his real focus and the 2024 is bright, fresh and frankly rather exciting. Blood orange, wild strawberries and a mineral, graphite core with fine-grained tannins. Drink from 2027 to 2034. 14%

The Tradition deserves a spot in our en primeur offer. Jean-Baptiste Meunier is happy with the end result in 2024 and quite rightly so. There is power to the wine (slightly less alcohol than in 2023) and layers of complexity, with blueberry, cassis, kirsch and fennel notes supported by firm tannins. Drink from 2027 to 2037. 14%

A savoury Vacqueyras with black olives, spice and some brambles and garrigue notes. From old vines surrounding the estate, this has firm, evident tannins that will need time to resolve. Drink from 2028 to 2034. Magnums (RH77814 @£62 per three) available. 14%

2024 is the inaugural year of Laudun being a cru and what a vintage to start with! Southern charm of garrigue and tapenade combined with brambles and spice. Energetic. Drink from 2027 to 2032. Magnums (RH77604 @£77 per six) available. 13.5%

2024 is the inaugural year of Laudun being a cru and what a vintage to start with! Southern charm of garrigue and tapenade combined with brambles and spice. Energetic. Drink from 2027 to 2032. Bottles (RH77601 @ £68 per dozen) available 13.5%