The Bordeaux En Primeur campaign is now over with many wines achieving great results.
This year, expectations were high. Last year’s backlash from the market is still being felt by many wine merchants who are overstock with importers and, wine sales are down in most key markets. As a result, most winemakers agreed on the need to reduce their prices. Read more with our previous Bordeaux En Primeur 2023 blog.
The wines were released with an average of 25% price cut making Top Bordeaux look relatively good value this year, especially when compared to other regions with small production of fine wines. 2023 is also a good vintage, with deep, bright and vibrant wines and the liveliest red Bordeaux made in years. All factors combined, the 2023 En Primeur campaign was a great opportunity to fill your cellar for the years to come.
Below are highlighted what we think are the the top performers of the vintage. Please contact info@petershamcellar.com for more information.
Top recommendations
Ch. Pontet Canet is one of the best catch, now 27% cheaper than last year while receiving an average of 98.3 points. This 5th Grand Cru Classé has experienced an unprecedented rise to the top and is today considered as one of Bordeaux’s most iconic estates. The team has done very well this year and “crafted a wine of unprecedented aromatic intensity and precision that marks a significant evolution” as stated in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
Ch Leoville Las Cases is one of the showstoppers with a 40% price cut from last year. This ‘Super Second’ can rival with first growth quality levels and is one of the best wines of the vintage. It has received 98 points from both James Suckling, Robert Paker and Jane Ansen who place it at the same level of the brilliant 2019 (released at almost 10% higher than this year). St Estephe's Super-Star Ch Cos d'Estournel and stunning Pauillac Ch Pichon Comtesse de Lalande are both very well priced. James Suckling said it is “reminiscent of old, great Cos, such as 1955 or 1982”.
A collector’s favourite, Ch Canon was awarded 99-100 points by James Suckling and released with a 25% price cut. Ch. Montrose lives up to its ‘Super Second’ status. The 2023 is sourced exclusively from the Terrace 4 gravels which is Montrose's historic core terroir. With a 30% price cut from last year, this is a must for any serious collector. Ch Figeac, one of only two St. Emilion first growths (Classé A), comes at a tempting reduction of over 40% on the 2022, and nearly 10% on the 2021, even slightly below the 2019.
Over-performer and one of the UK’s favourites Ch Lynch Bages was released with a 34% price cut on last year making it the least expensive vintage of the past decade available on the market today. Ch. Pape Clement and Ch. d'Issan were also well received by critics and offer great value.
Long under the radar, Les Carmes Haut Brion has had a stratospheric rise over the past decades. The increase in quality combined with carefully considered release prices, have been crucial to its success making it one of the top performing Bordeaux (the 2014 is up 199%) with real potential. With only 4,ooo bottles produced on avergae, this is listed ‘as strong sellers every year’ by Liv-ex.
Another great catch is Chateau Talbot also comes highly recommended. Both Jane Anson and Neal Martin think this is one of the best Talbot in years. It scores similar if not higher than the gorgeous 2019 and 2020 and comes with a 32% price cut, making a bottle available below £40 per 75cl. in bond.
For serious collectors, Ch. Mouton Rothschild is very attractive this year with a 37% price cut and well as Ch. Lafite. Liv-ex said, ‘At this price, the 2023 vintage is one of the best value [Lafite Rothschild wines] on the market.’ Decanter’s wine critic Georgie Hindle gave the 2023 a score of 98-100 points, similar to the glorious 2019 and 2020. Ch Haut Brion remains the most affordable 1er Grand Cru Classe and received a similar average score. Ch. Cheval Blanc, the world's most famous Cabernet Franc on the planet, also received high scores with an impressive 98-100 points from Robert Parker and 98-99 points from James Suckling.
Bordeaux En Primeur 2023 at a glance
