2023 Bordeaux

Trying to pin down what to expect from the 2023 vintage is not the easiest task. Paradoxically, while this was the second hottest year this century, Bordeaux was spared extended heat waves, and the nights were very cool leading to remarkably vibrant wines. There was plenty of rain, yet it fell nearly exclusively either side of the growing season, and while some properties needed to cope with disease early it wasn't consistent and many were spared completely.

All of this has led to a heterogeneous vintage, mixed results for even the most established names, yet as Neal Martin describes "...it cannot be denied that it is bejeweled with a clutch of spellbinding wines". Of the success stories, and there are many, what marks them out is their fresh and detailed fruit, ripe and refined tannins, and more importantly their reflection of origin. Some criticise Bordeaux for lacking a sense of place as found in other key wine regions, yet this seems less accurate with 2023 if it ever was. The best wines this year are transparent, energetic and remarkably pure, and will be a joy to discover in the years ahead.