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Bordeaux En-Primeur wines 2023 and 2024 : Key Points

The 2023 en primeur Bordeaux vintage: back to the classics

The 2023 en primeur vintage in Bordeaux marks a return to the region's roots, with wines that blend classic freshness with ripe tannins and great density on the palate. Unlike previous vintages, marked by higher alcohol levels and significant concentration, 2023 stands out for its more moderate alcohol levels and aromatic profiles blending freshness and ripeness. This hybrid vintage, which is difficult to categorise using the usual styles (‘solar’ versus ‘classic’, ‘continental’ versus ‘Atlantic’), perfectly reflects the identity of each estate, offering wines that are both accessible and suitable for laying down.

Climatic and agronomic conditions

The 2023 vintage got off to an early start in Bordeaux, with budburst on 5 April. Spring then brought alternating cool and mild conditions, slowing down the vegetative cycle. However, milder temperatures in May enabled the vines to flower early and evenly. The rainfall in June, which occurred during the fruit set, encouraged the formation of larger-than-average berries.

The main challenge for the winegrowers was downy mildew, encouraged by the showers and mild temperatures. However, a turning point came in mid-August, with a heat wave that improved the health of the grapes and accelerated their ripening, bringing fullness on the palate and complete phenolic maturity.

Harvesting of the Merlot grapes began in early September. The rain forecast for late September prompted some producers to bring their harvest forward, but those who waited were rewarded, with just enough rain to complete the ripening of the remaining fruit without compromising its quality.

Bordeaux 2023 En Primeur wine profiles

Red wines

The 2023 Bordeaux Primeur reds stand out for their balance between freshness and ripeness. The tannins are ripe and well-integrated, offering structured wines without excess. From Saint-Estèphe to Pomerol, the best wines display notable aromatic complexity, with notes of fresh fruit and flowers and a lively mouthfeel. These wines have great ageing potential and will develop with elegance.

Dry white wines

The 2023 Bordeaux dry white wines are very successful overall, even surpassing the quality of the 2022s and coming close to that of the 2021s, particularly in Pessac-Léognan. The conditions at the end of the season enabled the grapes to ripen to a fine richness while retaining a good degree of freshness. These wines have a marked aromatic intensity, good balance and good ageing potential

Sweet wines

In Sauternes and Barsac, 2023 continues the tradition of great vintages for sweet wines. The rainfall in early September accelerated the development of botrytis, resulting in a successful harvest. The wines produced are rich, complex and promise a long life.

2023: a seductively diverse vintage

The 2023 Bordeaux vintage is a year marked by diversity and the expression of the terroir. Both accessible young and with good ageing potential, it will delight lovers of classic Bordeaux wines, while offering a variety of profiles that will appeal to a wide range of palates. As Véronique Sanders, director of Château Haut-Bailly, points out: ‘People will fall in love with 2023 when they taste it. It's a bit like 2016 and 2019. They taste it and they want it.

Bordeaux En-Primeur wines 2023 and 2024

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