2023 Bordeaux En Primeur

'A Return to Classicism - Fresh Wines with Great Drinkability'

Before we set off for Bordeaux, the rumour mill was already going full pelt. Faced with higher interest rates and stodgy market conditions, banks in Bordeaux are declining to extend credit to either Châteaux or to the Bordeaux trade. So there's a bit more of a need for this year's en primeur campaign to 'work' - which means it must sell all the way through to the consumer. Good news, therefore, it's a buyer's market. We will have to see how this translates into actual pricing, but the rumour mill is saying that 30% discounts are on the cards, possibly even more where wines have not worked in previous vintages, and maybe a bit less for those that have sold out and still been in demand in the secondary market.

As far as the style of the wines is concerned let's wait for the judgement of our team currently tasting, but expect a large vintage, with fresh, wines more in the classical 'claret' mould than some of the recent blockbuster super-ripe vintages. Cabernet has done remarkably well, able to hang on and ripen later, so those of us with a preference for the left back classics should be in for a treat.

For once (after a string of tiresome EP seasons that have had us waiting until July for some of the releases) there seems to be a desire to 'get this done' this year, so there will be big releases right away - even in the last days of April.

As ever, as the wines are released we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news and our honest appraisal of each one, recommending those that have got it right - both the wine itself and the pricing.

A bientôt,

David Porter, Bordeaux Buyer