ボルドー最高評議会
the Grand conseil du vin de bordeaux
CommanderIES, wine brotherhoods

For the Crémants and whites, harvests began on August 16^th, one day earlier compared with 2022. The grape bunches were marvellously healthy. Rain that came from a thunderstorm during the night of August 15^th did a lot of good.

Beautiful aromas for Sauvignon Blanc grapes, very powerful notes, lovely freshness on citrus hints, such as pink grapefruit.

Harvests of red grapes began around mid-September with the Merlot grape variety, but dates vary from one appellation to another in the Bordeaux region.
On the nose, very fruity, very expressive with a marvellous deep colour.

Sauternes & Barsac

Ideal conditions in 2023 promise a remarkable vintage

Weather conditions up to the harvest gave «an ideal scenario» in the opinion of Sandrine Garbay at Château Guiraud. “From September 11th to 24th, 75 mm of well-distributed rain fell. This ensured a good spread of botrytis. Mornings are very damp, with dew, which maintains the botrytis. Afternoons are dry and this allows us to harvest.”

«The vine did not suffer from hydrous stress due to drought, because it had water supply», says Jean-Jacques Dubourdieu, co-President of the Sauternes Barsac appellation, and this enabled the preservation of «acidities and pH levels that are worthy of a very good vintage».

Harvest in Sauternes and Barsac started towards the end of September and ended mid-October 2023.

Botrytis cinerea

For Pierre Baptiste Fontaine, Director of the appellation, “botrytis was already present at the beginning of September” and was just waiting to develop. This botrytis settled earlier than in 2022, but “on a grape still cool that has preserved freshness and acidity» says Sandrine Garbay of Château Guiraud.

In conclusion, Sandrine Garbay agrees that: «we have everything we need to produce a great vintage. Acidity, concentration, everything is there.”.