▻ Bordeaux 2023 – Part Two

Let's Talk About

2 May

Written By Sarah Kemp

In conversation with Jane Anson

Episode Summary:-

On May 2, after tasting over 800 wines, Jane Anson publishes her Bordeaux 2023 report. She tells Sarah Kemp, “My job is to specialise in the wines of Bordeaux, so giving a comprehensive overview is key.” Jane then gives her opinion on the vintage, which she does not believe is on the same level as 2009, 2010 and 2016; however, the best wines will give great pleasure to Bordeaux lovers, as they show great typicity. The vintage is not homogenous—coping with rainfall and mildew were a key aspect of the challenges that confronted the estates. She declares that a high point is Sauternes and Barsac, which was not the case in 2022, and that the dry whites in 2023 have done well too. Pauillac is a sweet spot, with some delicious wines, and Pomerol has also performed well on the Right Bank.

In terms of scores, Jane reveals that she gave no potential 100s or even any 98s in 2021, and only two 97 points to red wines. In 2022 she gave five potential 100 points, but she is not sure how many will go up when she retastes as she doesn’t find the vintage typical and typicity is something she looks for: “I want my Pauillacs to taste like Pauillacs,” she states firmly. She has published a couple of scores in advance, and has already given two potential 100-point scores, and she will be giving more, she hints. As a vintage, “It’s pretty old-school, in some ways in that lovely sense it captures some of that balance and delight you find in old-school Bordeaux”.

As we broadcast this episode, the first prices are coming out, but Jane gives listeners her tips for some value wines to look out for. They include Châteaux Sociando-Mallet, Bel Air Gloria, Lanessan and Haut-Bages Monpelou. Sarah asks, if she had all the money in the world, what would be the one wine she would buy from the vintage. Her answer is one that delights Sarah…

Jane’s report is out on www.janeanson.com on May 2, 2023, and there is a 10% introductory offer during En Primeur if you use checkout code SAVE10.

Running Order:-

0.00 – 5.23

“I think it is a vintage which is going to give a lot of pleasure over the decades.” – Jane Anson

– Sarah Kemp joins Jane Anson for her second week of tasting the Bordeaux 2023 vintage.
– The average yields in 2023.
– The issue of mildew and leaf stripping.
– The issue of heat spikes when you have leaf-stripped.
– The comparison of the vintage to 2021 and 2022.
5.24 – 13.22

“It is pretty old-school, in that lovely sense that it captures some of that balance and delight you find in old-school Bordeaux.” – Jane Anson

– How 2023 compares to other Bordeaux vintages.
– Where to find value for money.
– The one wine Jane would choose, money no object, and why.