Looking forward Bordeaux Vintage 2023 en primeurs
Bordeaux Vintage 2023, En Primeurs April 2024 :
As our plans for Bordeaux Vintage 2023, Primeurs solidify, we turn our attention from where we will be tasting to what we shall be tasting. It has been said by industry detractors, there is little difference between vintages, and that a great wine estate can always coax a great wine. At Maitre de Cave, we can and will tell you that the 8 days we invest in tasting almost 800 wines reveals all the evidence one needs to debunk this claim.
Primeurs reveals plenty about the quality of a particular vintage and how the weather has affected the wines. It reveals the quality of the vineyard management and winemaking processes employed by each estate when responding to problems and when exploiting quality. If there are issues or problems with the process, they show up in the wine during this tasting event. If there is greatness to be revealed, it does so without hesitation. I look forward to this exciting opportunity every April.
Weather Report vintage 2023
The 2023 Bordeaux vintage will be successful, with good to exceptional quality attained in all regions. As usual, it was a difficult vintage. Beyond the usual challenges presented by spring frost, hail, excessive heat, drought, and inopportune rain, an overwhelming attack of downy mildew in June and the excessive heat in August and September exceeded any expectations.
Yet, the vignerons were able to protect and preserve a fine harvest quality. The science and art of vineyard maintenance has greatly improved in the last decade with the increased use of sustainable methods employing organic and biodynamic practices. The result has been that the vines are healthier and more-deeply rooted helping them better survive the various challenges and extremes that each vintage will bring.
In general, the 2023 weather
The 2023 weather conditions were favorable.
Spring provided essential rains in good quantity, and the moderate temperatures with only rare and incidental frost permitted bountiful floraison and set. These conditions promised an abundant harvest. Moderate June and July temperatures with occasional nocturnal rains allowed for healthy vines and the slow maturation of fruit, and they increased hopes for exceptional quality and quantity at the end of the growing season.
Then, in June, when the occasional rain dried up and moderate temperatures with few heat spikes commenced the vineyards became a breeding zone for mildew. Some growers estimate the volume loss due to mildew as high as 25%, others consider their loss of only 10% lucky. In addition, the fear of taint and poor quality demanded extensive sorting when the harvest arrived on the table. Most vignerons employed intensive responses to combat the mildew, especially those with high percentages of Merlot in their vineyards.
An unabated sun
After the first week of August of the vintage 2023, the onset of drought was aggravated by climbing temperatures and unabated sun. The potential for dried and sunburnt fruit is an annual problem, but it was brighter and hotter for longer than usual. Leafing should have been avoided and serious canopy control should have commenced to protect the fruit. If there was a large enough crew available, the domains were able to keep up with the maintenance programs and protect the fruit. For those insufficiently staffed, additional percentages of fruit were lost.
2023 weather in particular in the estates
Here, once again,in particular in the estates, the size of a domain and its team can help protect the fruit quality and quantity. The largest, most successful estates can once again achieve exceptional quality. This vintage, however, the prices for these collectibles should once again increase.
As a conclusion and looking forward vintage 2023 …
Please, taste what you can, read all the reviews; and buy wisely.!
The viticultural strategy made the difference for the vintage 2023- IA