The Style of The Wines

Red wines

After a warm, sunny & much less extreme vintage than 2022, the reds show deep colour, and ripeness without excess.  Merlots are fruity but Cabernets seems the star of the show in 2023, often making up a higher propotion of the blend than in previous vintages.  The aromatics were enticing, intense & very fine showing red & black fruit, and floral notes of violet & peony, and the taste is Bordeaux classicism, cassis & elegance.  The theme is freshness, & the vivid fruitiness of the wines means that they should have an early but wide drinking window.  Stylistically the wines resemble 2019 or possibly 2016 with their vibrancy, though with less opulence than the former.?

White wines

2023 is a very good vintage for dry white wines, and much better than 2022.  The wines are balanced and vibrant with bright Sauvignon fruit, richness and fleshy Semillon character in the middle.  Acidities are pleasingly high (& low pH 3.1-3.2) with moderate alcohols of c. 13% vol. 

Sauternes

In Sauternes the crop is slightly smaller than 2022 but from September conditions for noble rot were excellent.  Wines are richer than average – 150g/l residual sugar normal, but there is excellent acidity especially in Barsac (pH average 3.5).