Bordeaux 2023: Broad Impressions
One of the questions I occasionally ask during the primeurs is “which vintage does this remind you of?” The responses can be enlightening and educational. Some older folks respond by thinking back to the growing seasons they have worked, and comparing weather patterns. Some go purely on the feel of the wines. While others bring the market into the discussion, which is certainly pertinent this year.
It is not unusual to get a whole range of answers, but the most commonly proffered comparison vintage this year was 2001, especially on the right bank. I could see where they were coming from; 2001 was an attractive vintage which produced wines of broadly good quality, some of which turned out to be exceptionally good, especially on the right bank, and the left bank wines were on a good level too. But they never sold well, as the vintage was overshadowed by 2000, just as 2023 has the potential to be overshadowed by the great wines given to us by 2022.
In second place, the most commonly heard answer was one of a number of recent-vintage hybrids. It’s like 2022 with a bit of 2019. Or 2019 with a bit of 2018. Or 2016 with a bit of 2019. Take your pick.
