Wine 2023

Bordeaux 2023: A Vintage of Patience and Precision

In Bordeaux, the 2023 vintage was marked by contrasting weather conditions. A humid spring encouraged vine growth but also led to mildew development, requiring extra vigilance from winemakers. A hot summer then allowed for good grape ripening, but late-season rain occasionally slowed the harvest, demanding rigorous grape selection.

The red wines of 2023 display good structure, with fine tannins and well-preserved acidity, ensuring a balanced profile. Cabernet Sauvignon performed particularly well, offering freshness and pronounced aromatic intensity. Merlot wines are fruit-forward and generous but sometimes less powerful than in sunnier vintages. Dry white wines are bright and lively, with citrus and floral aromas. In Sauternes, conditions were more challenging, with a late botrytis development, resulting in refined, high-quality sweet wines, though in smaller quantities.

Burgundy 2023: A Delicate but Successful Year

In Burgundy, 2023 was a technical vintage, where careful vineyard management was essential due to periods of rain and intense heat. The relatively wet spring required meticulous attention to avoid disease pressure. The hot summer, with several heat spikes, accelerated grape ripening, necessitating a well-planned and swift harvest to maintain balance in the wines.

Chardonnay wines exhibit great tension and freshness, with aromas of pear, lemon, and white flowers, underpinned by a strong mineral character. Pinot Noir wines, slightly more delicate this year, reveal fine, silky tannins and a vibrant fruit profile, dominated by cherry and raspberry notes. This vintage has produced elegant wines, accessible when young, but with solid ageing potential for the more structured cuvées.

Rhône Valley 2023: Balanced Wines Despite a Varied Climate

In the Rhône Valley, the 2023 vintage experienced diverse weather conditions. After a wet start to the year, summer alternated between extreme heat and heavy storms, impacting vine growth. These fluctuations required careful vineyard management, but ultimately helped preserve freshness in the wines.

In the Northern Rhône, Syrah wines display an excellent balance between ripeness and acidity, resulting in elegant, aromatic wines with impressive length. In the Southern Rhône, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah produced rich, well-structured wines, with silky tannins and complex aromas of dark fruits, spices, and garrigue. White wines, particularly Roussanne and Marsanne-based blends, are generous and expressive.

Other Regions: A Varied but Interesting Vintage

Champagne: A vintage where careful harvesting was key to preserving acidity and freshness in the base wines. Chardonnay wines stand out with good tension and delicate aromatics.

Loire: Sauvignon Blanc wines from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé show great aromatic precision, producing fresh, elegant wines. The red wines are fruity and approachable.

Jura: An expressive vintage, with Savagnin and Chardonnay wines displaying good structure and marked minerality.

Languedoc: Generous, flavourful red wines, with well-integrated tannins and good concentration. White and rosé wines are aromatic and well-balanced.

Provence: Elegant and fresh rosé wines, with crisp red fruit aromas and a refreshing saline finish.

Alsace: A high-quality vintage for Riesling and Gewurztraminer, offering aromatic and well-balanced wines.

Beaujolais: Gamay wines are fruity, vibrant, and accessible, with excellent potential for Beaujolais Cru wines.

Corse: Bold but well-balanced wines, with dense reds and fresh, aromatic whites.

The 2023 vintage in France was contrasting, with challenging weather conditions, yet the wines exhibit freshness, fruitiness, and good balance. Thanks to the expertise of winemakers, 2023 is shaping up to be an interesting and promising vintage, producing wines that are accessible in their youth while offering good ageing potential.