THE SEASONS: What weather conditions shaped the vintage?
“The secret was to wait!”
«The best wines – and, notably, the wines around which en primeur campaign are built and focussed – are, with few exceptions, fabulously bright, crystalline, fresh and pure, but with significant aging potential too.» - Colin Hay for the Drink Business
James Suckling : « It was the most enjoyable en primeur tasting I have done since rating 2019 from barrel, which was similarly bright.».
“The secret was to wait!”
- Spring and early summer: the weather was very wet, although the flowering went very well with excellent berry set for a large crop. Some Mildew came in June but the wineries with proper resources got the hang of it.
- Flowering: End of May, excellent berry set and generous grape crop
- Dry and hot weather from Mid June all the way to the end of August
- September: The first part of September had rain, growers who waited to pick had the best results. Many wine producers spoke about an Indian summer that saved the vintage “The secret was to wait!” ; these rains also set up the botrytis for sweet wine producers, who made some fantastic offerings in 2023.
«The best wines – and, notably, the wines around which en primeur campaign are built and focussed – are, with few exceptions, fabulously bright, crystalline, fresh and pure, but with significant aging potential too.» - Colin Hay for the Drink Business
James Suckling : « It was the most enjoyable en primeur tasting I have done since rating 2019 from barrel, which was similarly bright.».
ORGANOLEPTIC CHARACTERISTICS
Red wines:
The harvest of reds began early under scorching heat. A saving rain, followed by prolonged good weather, allowed for the maturation of all grape varieties, with contrasting situations and different scenarios depending on the terroirs. The keywords of this vintage will be balance and harmony. Concentration and moderate alcohol levels, power without extravagance, subtle yet distinctive expression that reconnects us with the identity of Bordeaux’s great red wines.
Dry white wines:
The dry period from August 15th to September 10th allowed for the harvest of ripe and dry grapes under optimal conditions. The wines show a beautiful balance between elegance and drinkability. They combine freshness, aromatic richness, and liveliness with remarkable complexity accentuated by a delicately held framework.
Red wines:
The harvest of reds began early under scorching heat. A saving rain, followed by prolonged good weather, allowed for the maturation of all grape varieties, with contrasting situations and different scenarios depending on the terroirs. The keywords of this vintage will be balance and harmony. Concentration and moderate alcohol levels, power without extravagance, subtle yet distinctive expression that reconnects us with the identity of Bordeaux’s great red wines.
Dry white wines:
The dry period from August 15th to September 10th allowed for the harvest of ripe and dry grapes under optimal conditions. The wines show a beautiful balance between elegance and drinkability. They combine freshness, aromatic richness, and liveliness with remarkable complexity accentuated by a delicately held framework.
Sauternes & Barsac 2023 En primeur Tasting
Photo From James Suckling Instagram
Sweet wines:
In Sauternes, 2023 is already shaping up to be a legendary vintage. Extremely favorable weather conditions allowed Botrytis to develop rapidly and harmoniously, offering grapes of exceptional quality. Despite a rich sugar concentration, they nevertheless present incredible acidity and surprising freshness. An organoleptic palette of remarkable diversity!
In Sauternes, 2023 is already shaping up to be a legendary vintage. Extremely favorable weather conditions allowed Botrytis to develop rapidly and harmoniously, offering grapes of exceptional quality. Despite a rich sugar concentration, they nevertheless present incredible acidity and surprising freshness. An organoleptic palette of remarkable diversity!
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