As the final harvest data for December 2025 solidifies, the Bordeaux "Big Ten" are reporting volumes that mirror the legendary scarcity of 1961, forcing US collectors to rethink their allocation strategies for the upcoming En Primeur season. A deep dive into the 2025 Bordeaux harvest yields. Compare 2025 vs 2022 production for Lafite, Petrus, and Margaux. Essential data for US fine wine collectors.
The 2025 growing season in Bordeaux will be recorded as one of the most physically demanding in modern history. Following a damp spring, an aggressive and prolonged heatwave in August—peaking at 42.8°C (109°F)—resulted in widespread berry desiccation and a naturally reduced crop. While the technical quality is being compared to the power of 2022 and the elegance of 2019, the sheer lack of wine is the primary headline this month.
The Left Bank’s gravel terraces in Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe provided some drainage relief during the spring rains, but the summer heat was unforgiving. Small berries with thick skins have resulted in an exceptionally high skin-to-juice ratio. This "extraction potential" means that while the wines are structurally massive, there is simply less liquid to go around. On the Right Bank, the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion acted as a thermal regulator, but even there, evaporation led to significant yield losses.
Perhaps the most significant development for the 2025 vintage is the structural divergence of the estates. With Château Lafleur officially exiting the AOC system to bottle as "Vin de France," and the region-wide "grubbing-up" program removing over 30,000 hectares of vines, the 2025 vintage marks the beginning of a "Slimmer Bordeaux." For the American collector, this is no longer a market of abundance, but one of tactical acquisition.
Comparative Yield Analysis: 2022 vs. 2025 (hl/ha)
Below is the comparative data for the "Top 10" First Growths and their Right Bank equivalents. These figures are based on the final December 2025 technical reports.
