Bordeaux Wines 2023

Discover the great Bordeaux estates of 2023 en primeur

The 2023 Bordeaux en primeur tastings revealed true gems that captivated wine lovers worldwide. This year, the red wines stood out for their complexity and finesse, particularly those from the prestigious estates of Pauillac and Saint-Julien, which promise excellent aging potential. The white wines of Pessac were equally impressive, offering a freshness and vibrancy that make them irresistible even in their youth. Margaux, with its elegant and aromatic character, continues to charm with its sophistication and balance.

In the Médoc, estates produced powerful, well-structured reds, while Saint-Estèphe offered wines of remarkable depth, ideal for collectors looking to enrich their cellars. Fronsac, often less publicized, also shone this year with its approachable and charming wines, proving that this appellation deserves greater attention. Furthermore, the Pomerol and Saint-Émilion appellations, renowned for their exceptional terroirs, produced voluptuous and refined red wines, distinguished by their richness and aging potential. Every bottle in this 2023 en primeur selection promises memorable tastings in the years to come.

How do early produce markets work?

The en primeur sale is a unique system implemented by the Bordeaux wine trade . Initially designed to pre-finance the harvest, this system allows châteaux to offer their wines, both red and white, for sale well before bottling, thus offering advantageous prices compared to post-bottling prices.

This benefits all parties involved: individuals acquire their wine at a lower cost, while wine merchants secure quality stocks at a fixed price, sourced from renowned estates throughout the Bordeaux wine region. The great wines of Margaux, with their distinctive elegance, the robust wines of Pessac, the deep and intense wines of the Médoc, and the prestigious estates of Saint-Estèphe are all highly sought after. Furthermore, the refined Saint-Julien, the powerful Pauillac, and the charming Fronsac complete this list, ensuring a diversity that enriches the wine merchants' portfolios and allows châteaux to capture revenue well before the bottles are even sold.

Châteaux , such as those in the aforementioned regions, issue allocations that are marketed by Bordeaux wine merchants and resold worldwide between late April and early May. This method not only allows for the pre-financing of production but also guarantees access to high-quality wines from their youth, with the promise of excellent aging potential once bottled.

Bordeaux's first wine week

Every year, during April, critics, followed by journalists and other professionals, come to taste the vintage. The wines are still aging , and blends are rare, as they are often already finalized. The wine offered for tasting is a preview of what the wine will be like after bottling. Tastings are held at the châteaux themselves or organized by the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux.

Critics submit their tasting notes in late April or early May, before the wine is released en primeur. Scores are often given out of 100, with 98-100 being the highest possible score.

Each year, Cavissima sends a team of tasters, headed by John Euvrard, to appreciate the wine and to verify, Château after Château, the wine offered for sale.

Why buy Bordeaux en primeur?

Buying en primeur (wine futures) has both advantages and disadvantages. The primary advantage is securing your supply of a sought-after wine. The second advantage is the potential benefit of attractive prices . The en primeur release price is a key factor. Its attractiveness can only be judged in light of future vintages.

Which wines should I buy en primeur?

To provide online advice to its clients, Cavissima has implemented a fairly sophisticated information system, including:

• The difference with the release price of the previous vintage

• The difference with the release price of a reference vintage

• A 5-star pleasure rating

• A 5-star quality/price rating

How to buy wines en primeur (pre-release wines)?

• Refer to the various early produce tips listed on the website.
• Add the desired wines to your cart
• Confirm your order
• When the wines are available, they will be automatically delivered to your online cellar and you will receive an email.