Bordeaux vintage 2023 is a big surprise. There were some bad rumours over the year, however the first tastings showed convincing qualities. Personally, this year’s en primeur tastings remembered me of the en primeur tasting for the vintage 2012, when the wines were fruit driven, very accessible and charming. However, 2023 has more body and structure although it is in most of the cases lighter than 2022. Overall, the tasting results were rather positive with a good number of wines which have been performing as good (or even better) as in 2022 yet presenting a different stylistic approach rather based on elegance, freshness and persistence then sheer power. A number of wines has just been rated a bit lower then 2022 and the negative examples have been much rarer than initially feared. This vintage will be fun to drink and the better wines will also have an excellent potential for a long lasting and bright future.  

Bordeaux vintage 2023 - TOP 40 WINES!

QUINTA DO NOVAL VINTAGE PORT NACIONAL 1963 – This is the Vintage Port which most people would like to take to their lonely island. High-scores everywhere and so much life ahead that it almost frightens you: The colour is easily 10-20 years younger of what you would expect. Deep, dark-red colour with lots of reflections. Perfectly balanced bouquet with finesse and intensity. Long and multi-layered aftertaste. Tasted last year at the Quinta. Port-Heaven! 100

Yalumba The Cigar 2019 / A delightful, dense black fruited mass is what greets you here. Suggestive oak lurks furtively, framing not dominating.The palate shows a lick of black licorice, a slick and glossy feel shows it gliding across the palate. It feels composed, graceful in how it presents itself - yet not without some gruff tannins, somewhat acting as a counterpoint to how it presents otherwise. Generous length. Go the years here easily. Drink now to 2032 92p

Dom Pérignon 2003 P2 / Medium deep golden colour with rather small and vivid bubbles. Pure and intense nose, fine development without oxidation, roasted pine and pistachio nuts with confit de citron, fresh peach and brioche notes. The palate is ample and rather opulent with a rounded acidity yet with a nice fresh bite from fine extract, mild creaminess, nice layers of finely spicy yellow fruit, nougat and nutty flavours with a long and embracing finish. 95p

1970s' tasting with all the best wines Part II.

1880 D’Oliveiras Terrantez / Deep amber. Jumps out of the glass. Dried fruits, rich, fruit driven, intense, smoky, molasses, caramel, detailed, dried apricots and nuts nose. Fresh acidity, dried fruits, intense, molasses, nuts, walnuts, dried fruits, layered and long. 95

1970's tasting with Cristal, Krug, Jayer, Chave, Sassicaia, Guigal, Haut-Brion etc.

Château Suduiraut 2010 /Super nose with some exotic pineapple/mango/passion fruit undertones mixed with Vouvray-like blossom-tree and quince jelly, enormous body, but incredible purity and crystal-like transparency, great length, a masterpiece! Drink 2020-2070.

Sassicaia 2021 / Dynamic and slender in the sensory profile showing notes of lavender, plums, hyacinth, magnolia, sandalwood, camphor and lemon and bergamot peel. Agapanthus flowers, wisteria and gardenias describe the secondary profile softening and diluting the matrix. There’s complexity and composed richness that in the game between oxidation and reduction confirms its solid beauty. The body of the wine is perfectly balanced in the sip, showing a full, enveloping profile, there’s a subtle balsamic presence and it’s animated by soft, creamy tannins giving a linear, essential finale. A version of Sassicaia that’s extremely enjoyable from the start, immediately persuasive and convincing. Notwithstanding the great changes and difficulties this wine will continue to be written and spoken about as a milestone in Bolgheri excellence. Better from 2027.

The Best 40 wines tasted in 2023 Part II, exclusively for readers of Tasting Book. It has been quite a year, with far more ups than downs, especially when it comes to wine. I am lucky as well as blessed to be able to taste older, mature wines, as well as young wines and barrel samples, all of which allows me a fun look at a myriad of different wines at all ages and stages of maturity.

By ratings, these are a look at the 40 best wines tasted, so far. I have two more special nights coming up, but as we already closing in on the second week of December, this is a good snapshot of the best wines from 2023.  I hope you have at least half as much read it, as I did tasting them.

Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru 2016 /
An expressive Romanee-Conti with great exuberance, intensity and complexity. This is a brilliant vintage for DRC and the Romanee-Conti in this vintage is suprisingly open at this stage. The wine combines everything one would want in a great Burgundy wine – delicacy, purity, depth, complexity, length and seductive flavors. 99 points