Bordeaux vintage 2023 is showcasing new trends in the international wine world, with a focus on using larger oak barrels and lower alcohol combined with increased acidity to promote freshness and drinkability. This trend has been noticed across various wine regions in France and Italy, with winemakers and consumers alike embracing wines that are lively, ready to drink, and highlight fresh fruit flavors.
The acidity in Bordeaux vintage 2023 is more pronounced and better integrated with fruit than in previous years, making it a standout characteristic of this vintage. Tannins for the red wines are unusually creamy, which, combined with the perky acidity, gives the wines an edgy flavor profile and aging ability that may be raved about for years to come. Some wines from Pessac-Leognan in 2023 are receiving high praise for their crackling acidity and superb balance, making them a recommendation for wine enthusiasts.
The red wines of Bordeaux 2023 are being compared to previous vintages, with similarities to the buoyant fruit of 2019, the tannic confidence of 2020, and the pronounced acidity of 2021. These wines are being described as rounder, more focused, refined, and successful in integrating components of fruit, alcohol, and tannins. The vintage also includes a sliver of the bright sunshine brilliance of 2015, as well as some unexpectedly creamy tannins that add a unique touch to the overall flavor profile of the wines.
Industry professionals and winemakers have shared their insights on Bordeaux vintage 2023, with many highlighting the exceptional quality and aging potential of the wines. Hubert du Bouard of Château Angelus in Saint-Émilion described the vintage as vibrant and juicy, with a tension and creaminess that sets it apart from classic vintages. Pierre Courdurié from Croix de Labrie praised the vintage for its bright, aromatic, powerful, and balanced nature, comparing it to previous standout vintages like 2019 and 2016.
Colin Hay of The Drinks Business noted that the best wines of Bordeaux 2023 are bright, crystalline, fresh, and pure, with significant aging potential that positions them as focal points of the en primeur campaign. Pierre Jean Larraque, owner of multiple Bordeaux vineyards, shared his experience with the vintage, highlighting the warm and humid spring, rapid flowering and veraison, and the beneficial rains that helped with maturation. Other winemakers like Caroline Frey and Éric Perrin also discussed the challenges and rewards of the 2023 vintage, emphasizing the purity, concentration, and pleasure that these wines offer.
Overall, Bordeaux vintage 2023 is shaping up to be a standout year for the region, with unique characteristics like pronounced acidity, creamy tannins, and a focus on freshness and drinkability. The wines are receiving high praise from industry professionals and winemakers for their quality, complexity, and aging potential, making them highly anticipated releases for wine enthusiasts around the world. As more tasting notes and reviews become available, it is clear that Bordeaux vintage 2023 is one to watch for both experienced connoisseurs and newcomers to the world of wine.
