Having tasted nearly all the 2023 wines we follow and those we are likely to follow in what is turning out to be an excellent classical vintage with prices expected to be lower than the majestic 2022s due to bigger yields and as a result of current global economic circumstances. The wines across the board surpassed all expectations. It is a vintage to be enjoyed earlier than other bigger warmer years which have preceded it. This is a gorgeous traditional claret year with a nod to the more elegant wines of the past. Very highly recommended, we are excited for what’s to come and are expecting lower prices which will make the vintage a great success.
The highlights are as follows:
- It was cooler year than 2022 producing classical Bordeaux wines with slightly lower alcohol and PH levels compared to the hotter vintages. Comparable with the 2001, 2016 and 2019 vintages.
- As each year passes, viticultural practices improve and estates coped extremely well with mildew in June, a heatwave in August and brief outbreaks of rain in September. The most successful grape varieties were Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and picking these late at the end of September and early October paid substantial dividends.
- James Suckling is the first serious critic to report so far, he writes that “the vintage boasted some of the brightest and liveliest red Bordeaux tasted in years”. In comparison to the 2022s, the 2023s are “so Bordeaux in their nature, with their tensioned mouthfeels and energetic finishes”.
- The wines we tasted showed remarkable freshness and balance, with gorgeous ripe fruits and powerful, yet soft tannins. They were largely very complete wines that will be approachable before the 2022s, but with a similar propensity to age.
- Our view is that the wines will have excellent investment potential, depending of course on price and will also be fabulous to start drinking in a few years’ time. We expect and hope that the top calibre wines will come down by the most in price. The lower priced wines by less as they have not been subject to such stark price increases over the past few vintages.
- The 2023s will be released early this year starting before the end of the month with most of the top wines in the first half of May.
- Some of our favourites at all levels included Margaux, Canon, Palmer, Lynch Bages, Pontet Canet, Batailley, Angludet and Beaumont.
Veiw our 2023 En Primeur wines relased so far here
