Vintage report: Bordeaux 2023
The details you need to know for the 2023 Bordeaux En Primeur campaign
Vintage reports…
Let’s be honest, they are pretty boring. They typically contain infinite detail on weather conditions and convoluted conclusions regarding the wines.
We are going to do things slightly differently.
We’ve gone through vintage reports from some of our favourite wine merchants. Here are the soundbites you need to know for Bordeaux 2023 (red wine only):
Are the wines any good?
Whilst critics are generally positive, the key word to remember is heterogeneous. The best wines are apparently exceptional. However, quality is not consistent across the region.
Top tip: conduct research or seek advice to find the best wines. It might not be a straightforward task.
What sort of style are the wines?
The watchword tattooed across 2023 is “classicism”
Neal Martin (wine critic)
Expect balanced wines with attractive fruit, fresh acidity and sufficient structure. They should be approachable young, whilst having the ability to age.
Top tip: if you are sick of modern wines having >14% alcohol, then this could be the modern vintage for you. Many are coming in at around 13%, akin to claret from the 1990s.
Is there enough wine for everyone to buy?
Remember the word heterogeneous. Overall yields are high compared to previous vintages. However, this was not true across all appellations.
Top tip: if you are really obsessed with a particular Chateau or appellation, then look up how it was impacted by mildew in Spring. That will indicate whether your coveted wine is in short supply or not.
Are the prices sensible?
The chart above suggests the answer is “Yes”. Although the wines are good quality, the prices are set to be lower than recent years.
Top tip: show some restraint initially and do not get attracted by big discounts compared to the 2022 prices. You will be able to identify which wines are well priced for the vintage once the majority of the wines have been released.
Should I buy immediately?
If you are buying to drink: see how release prices change in the next year. If prices start to increase, then consider buying to secure attractive prices. If they do not change at all, remember that yields are high and there will be plenty of wine on the secondary market. Save your cash for when the wines are ready to drink.
If you are buying to invest: it might be worth taking some risk and buying upon release. There is a flurry of market activity when investment wines are released. This activity can lead to quick price changes, making it an opportunity for investors. Given prices are slightly lower than previous years and quality is good, prices are more likely to increase than decrease for the top wines during this period.
Next week
Excitingly, we are recording with some amazing guests for the remainder of this week. Our next post will be on Monday morning.
We are continuing our discussion on Bordeaux with the charismatic Benedict Butterworth (see picture below). The topic for next week is “New wave Bordeaux”.
“What the hell is that?” Tune in next week to find out.
