Bordeaux 2023 Vintage

79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Aromatic red berry fruits and violets. The palate is supple, with crunchy black plum and cherries, framed nicely by powdery, fruit coated tannins and refreshing acidity. Around 50% new oak.

C&B Score: 17+

Drinking date: 2028-40

Case of 6 bottles £162 IB UK

43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 17% Petit Verdot. Black pepper and crunchy red fruit aromas lead into an invigorating palate of fresh black fruit with notes of clay, framed by fine tannins. Cropped at 20hl/ha. Harvested between 12^th and 28^th September. This will age for 12 months, 60% in barrel, 40% in amphora. 35% new oak. 13.7% abv. 

C&B Score: 17.5-18

Drinking dates: 2028 - 40

Case of 6 (75cl) - £144 IB UK
Case of 3 (150cl) - £154 IB UK

 

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. Inky dark cherry and berry aromas with fabulous purity. Bitter chocolate and rocky minerality. The full-bodied palate is beautifully pure, the deep cassis refreshed by a high line of acidity framed by a lot of fine, grippy tannin. This represents two-thirds of the estate’s production. Cropped at 32hl/ha. 50% new oak. 14% abv.  

 

C&B Score: 18

Drinking dates: 2034-49

53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. Cassis and bitter cherry aromas, dark fruited despite the high level of Merlot. The tannins are firm and fleshily fruit-coated. Alter Ego represents one-third of the production in 2023. 30% new oak. 14% abv.  

C&B Score: 17.5

Drinking dates: 2030-41

The dry white of the Mouton Rothschild stable. 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 44.5% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Gris, 0.5% Muscadelle. Pure white peach, green melon and grapefruit aromas lead into a palate of salty seashell minerality and fleshy pear and peach fruit. I like this but would open it relatively young. Harvested between 29th Aug and 6th Sep. 45% new oak. 13.5% abv.

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2026-32

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Brightly red berried with plush, even plump fruit on the palate. This has been preened but successfully so. Harvested between 13^th September and 2^nd October. This will spend 12 months in oak barrels, with 30% new oak. 13.02% abv. 

C&B Score: 16.5-17

Drinking dates: 2030-40

58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Lifted red cherry and cassis aromas with a little raisining. The full-bodied palate is rich and juicy, blackberry is lifted by orange rind with bitter chocolate, all framed by fine, firm tannins which currently squeeze the finish. Cropped at 20hl/ha. Harvested between 19^th September and 10^th October. 60% new oak. 14% abv.

C&B Score: 17.5

Drinking dates: 2028-40

90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot. The 2023 Rauzan-Gassies offers dark, slightly desiccated aromas leading into a full-bodied palate of cassis, plum and blueberry framed by firm tannins. Mint leaf on the long finish. 60% new oak.14% abv.  

C&B Score: 17+

Drinking dates: 2028-38

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot. Lifted raspberry fruit and citrus rind, with a line of herbaceous freshness. A characterful, medium-bodied Croizet-Bages for mid-term drinking. The yield here was 45hl/ha. 50% new oak. 13.5% abv. 

C&B Score: 16.5

Drinking dates: 2027-37

93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Supple and voluminous, Lafite has an unexpected pliancy and tenderness this year, with more red berry character than usual. The juicy, delectable berry fruit is framed by fine, fruit-coated tannins. “2016 with a touch of 2019”, in the words of Saskia de Rothschild. Harvested between 7th and 29th September.

 

C&B Score: 17.5-18

Drinking dates: 2032-52+

The second wine of Lafite is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Bitter cherry and cassis aromas, leading into a detailed palate of lush, juicy dark berry fruit, framed by a high level of very fine, ferrous tannins. Harvested between 7th and 29th September.  

C&B Score: 17-17.5

Drinking dates: 2030-42

55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. The second wine of Duhart-Milon offers polished raspberry and cranberry aromas. The palate is juicy and vibrant, red berried and framed by fine, plush tannins.

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2028-38

81% Sauvignon Blanc, 11% Semillon, 8% Muscadelle. A Sauvignon-led wine, whose green melon, white flower and lemon rind aromatics meld into a crunchy palate of grapefruit and salty minerality.  Harvested between 31st August and 6th September. Six months in oak.  50% new oak. 13.2% abv. 

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2027-32

57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Darkly perfumed berry fruit, with violet and cedar aromas. The medium-bodied palate is refined, putting on weight on the mid-palate, which is juicy and elegant. Impressive. 50% new oak. 13.2% abv.

C&B Score: 17-17.5

Drinking dates: 2029-41

 

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc. The second wine of Pichon-Lalande, which was renamed from the 2017 vintage. Cassis and fresh mint, with fleshy layered dark berry fruit on the mid-palate.

C&B Score: 17+

Drinking dates: 2029-42

From the Leoville Poyferre stable. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Dark fruited aromas with a ferrous bite. Bitter cherry on the palate, whose grippy, firm tannins quickly assert themselves. This is a characterful Le Crock, which will demand some patience and should drink well in the medium term. Yields were around 50hl/ha. Harvested between 8^th and 29^th September. 13.5% abv. 

C&B Score: 16.5+

Drinking dates: 2029-38

51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot. Dark, shiny blackberry fruit with redcurrant lift and some dry herb detailing. The palate is pure and with just enough fruit to stand up to the firm grippy tannins. Harvested between 6^th and 26^th September.   

C&B Score: 16.5+

Drinking dates: 2028-40

64% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Made since 2003, this comes from the northern Médoc. Fleshy dark berry fruit with a bloody/iodine aspect. The palate is darkly fruited with a high level of supple, fruit-coated tannins. This has good immediacy and just enough freshness. Seven hectares have been added this year — Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot have been planted. Harvested between 13^th September and 2^nd October. 20% new oak. 12.78% abv.   

C&B Score: 16

Drinking dates: 2027-32

 

68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. A quiet, cedary nose leads into a full-bodied, dark-and-red-fruited palate with firm, grippy (yet fruit-coated) tannins, refreshed by crisp acidity. Coffee bean on the finish. A big wine which pulls it off. Cropped at 44hl/ha. 5% new oak. 13.5% abv. 
 

C&B Score: 17+

Drinking dates: 2028-38

The second wine of Grand Puy Lacoste. 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc. Shiny bright dark berry aromas. The medium-bodied palate is cool, relaxed and approachable, framed by fine chalky tannins.  

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2030-42

Pibran is from the Pichon-Baron stable. 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot. Cool, focused dark berry fruit framed by clipped, crunchy tannins, showing good tension. 40% new oak. 13.1% abv.

C&B Score: 16.5+

Drinking dates: 2026-31

80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon. Fleshy white peach fruit and green melon with lime rind. The palate is juicy and quite flamboyant. The vines here are 35 years old. 12.54% abv

 

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2026-29

70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Semillon. White peach fruit and cedary spice with vanilla pod and cream. The palate is sweetly fruited and slick, with a flair of bold stone fruit on the finish. A rich, extrovert white for relatively early drinking. Harvested between 5^th and 15^th September. This will spend 6-9 months in oak. 12.85% abv. 

C&B Score: 16.5

Drinking dates: 2027-2031

As always, the white wine of Ch Margaux is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. White peach and pastry aromas leading into a supple palate of citrus, lemon rind and green melon. The finish is salty and focused, aided by high acidity (the pH is 3.15). 13% abv.  

C&B Score: 17.5

Drinking dates: 2028-42+

From the Mouton-Rothschild stable: the second wine of Clerc Milon. 63% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Carménère, 1% Petit Verdot. Juicy red berry fruit and minty detailing. The medium-bodied palate is fleshy and seductive, lifted by just-so acidity, all framed by fine, peppery tannins. Harvested between 7th and 29th September. No new oak. 14.2% abv. 

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2027-34

The second wine of Haut-Batailley, from the Lynch Bages stable. 63% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon. Herbaceous dark berried aromas, leading into a palate of cool blackberry fruit and wild strawberries, framed by fine tannins.

C&B Score: 16.5-17

Drinking dates: 2027-34

 

 

72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Ripe blackcurrant aromas meet fine cedar spices on the refined nose with violet, dried herbs and a little raspberry. The palate is compressed with impressively clenched power; rather magnificent tannins exert a firm grip on the dark fruit flavours. The average vine age here is 21 years. 100% new oak. 14% abv. 

C&B Score: 18

Drinking dates: 2030-45

69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. An elegant dark berry fruit nose of cassis and fresh mint aromas. The lushly dark-fruited palate is framed by powerful St-Estèphe tannins, which are rendered elegantly. This will spend 18 months in oak barrels, 60% new oak. 14.6% abv. 

C&B Score: 17.5

Drinking dates: 2028-40

 

52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Shiny dark berry fruit aromas, very pure. The palate is crunchy and airy, offering raspberry and redcurrant flavours with bitter cherry, lifted by fresh acidity and framed by nicely fruit-coated tannins, which are deceptively powerful. This will be highly drinkable in the medium term, with good ageing potential thereafter. The average vine age here now is 50-55 years old. Harvested between 7th September and 10th October. 50% new oak. 13.5% abv. 

C&B Score: 17.5-18
Drinking dates: 2029-45

59% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot. Silky dark berry and violet aromas. The raspberry- and blackberry-fruited palate is framed by fine, chalky tannins. Harvested between 8th September and 3rd October. 13% abv. 

C&B Score: 16.5-17

Drinking dates: 2026-32

Plush, cedary raspberry fruit with supple fruit-coated tannins, lifted by fresh acidity. Mid-weight and minty with good energy. 

C&B Score: 16.5
Drinking dates: 2028-35

51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Bright red berry fruit with a nice crunch to the palate and green minty lift. The palate is a pleasant mix of black and red berries framed by firm, grippy tannins. 20% new oak. 12.90% abv. 

C&B Score: 16.5+

Drinking dates: 2030-40

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Lifted red berry aromas leading into a brightly fruited, supple palate on which the very firm tannins exert themselves quickly. The extraction is elegantly done, but there is such a high level of tannin that this will need real patience. The yield was around 40hl/ha. Picked between 12th and 29th September. 50% new oak. 12.91% abv. 

C&B Score: 17.5-18

Drinking dates: 2032 - 47

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. From the Lafite-Rothschild stable. Elegant dark berries and cassis on the nose. The dark-fruited palate is supple and fresh, with grapefruit zest flavours, framed by fine grippy tannins. Harvested between 7th September and 3rd October.

C&B Score: 17+

Drinking dates: 2030-42

From the Mouton-Rothschild stable. 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 1.5% Carménère, 1% Petit Verdot. A quiet nose opens onto a juicy, buoyant palate of dark berry fruit and violets, with fine chalky tannins. Harvested between 7th and 29th September. 55% new oak. 13.5% abv.

C&B Score: 17.5

Drinking dates: 2030-40

The second wine of Mouton Rothschild. 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. A discreet, ripe dark-berried nose with violets, bitter chocolate and cedar. The palate is measured, slowly revealing elegant blackberry and dark spices, framed by firm, grippy tannins. Harvested between 7th and 30th September. 50% new oak. 13.3% abv. 

C&B Score: 17.5+

Drinking dates: 2030-40+

93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot. Bright raspberry, strawberry and blackberry aromas, quite joyfully ripe. The palate is seamless and pure, deep and dark, with resonant cassis and blackberry fruit, framed by powerful, assertive tannins. Mouton is showing some grunt this year. Harvested between 7th and 30th September. 100% new oak. 13.3% abv.

C&B Score: 18 

Drinking dates: 2031-51

71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. Dark and polished, with a red berried fleshiness to the mid-palate, guided by very fine tannins which exert a gentle grip on the long finish. Impressive. Cropped at 41hl/ha. Harvested between 14th September and 2nd October. 65% new oak. 13.2% abv.

C&B Score: 17.5+

Drinking dates: 2030-44

 

 

55% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. A raspberry fruited nose with tomato leaf and herbaceous detailing. The palate is cool and focused, with fine, fruit-coated tannins. Elegant and with power in reserve. 52hl/ha. 13.5% abv. 45% new oak.  Harvested between 19th September – 4th October. 

C&B Score: 17+

Drinking dates: 2029-42

55% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc. Toasty blackberry and strawberry fruit aromas lead into a palate of bright red berries, with a creamy density and a high level of plushly fruit-coated tannins. Fresh and salty on the finish. The yield was 47hl/ha. Harvested between 13th September and 4th October. 14 months in an (undisclosed) mixture of new oak and one-year old barrels. 13.6% abv.

C&B Score: 17.5+

Drinking dates: 2030-45

71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Seamless, intense dark berry fruit aromas with plum and red cherry. The palate opens cool and poised, the fine, firm tannins asserting themselves on the powerful mid-palate. This finishes fresh and upbeat, with resounding purity – a tour de force. Cropped at 47hl/ha. Harvested between 13th September and 4th October. 75% new oak. 13.7% abv. 

C&B Score: 18.5

Drinking dates: 2031-47

52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. This comes from 61 small plots throughout Pauillac. Inviting violet and dark/red berry aromas with cedary spices, leading into a palate of lush, rich blackcurrant and raspberry fruit, framed by fine, fruit-coated tannins, with a lingering sweetness and chocolatey intensity to the finish. Hints of orange rind and peony.  Cropped at 50hl/ha. 35% new oak. 13.5% abv.

C&B Score: 17.5

Drinking dates: 2030-40

 

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Dark, shiny berry fruit aromas with a raspberry-fruited lift and pretty rose petals. The palate is cool and poised, the refined stony-mineral and blackberry flavours framed by fine tannins. Very elegant, with a newfound purity and immediacy. There is great innovation in place at Phélan Ségur, thanks to longstanding winemaker Fabrice Bacquey. Cropped at 52hl/ha. Harvested between 18^th September and 11^th October. 55% new oak. 13.5% abv. 

C&B Score: 17.5+

Drinking dates: 2028-42

48.3% Merlot, 39.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.3% Cabernet Franc. The second wine of La Mission Haut-Brion has a darkly berried nose, with creamy intensity. The palate is pure and crunchy, offering red and black berry fruit and cedary spices, with fresh mint lift. Harvested between 6th September and 3rd October. 21.2% new oak. 14.5% abv. This represents 35% of the estate’s total production.

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2028-38

71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc. Black cherry and blueberry aromas lead into a medium-bodied, fresh palate of dark berries and mineral tension. Lithe acidity complements the fine, fruit-coated tannins. Cropped at 31hl/ha. Harvested between 5th September and 6th October. 50% new oak. 13.5% abv. 

C&B Score 17
Drinking dates: 2030-42

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. A dark-fruited, inscrutable nose leads into a palate of ripe blackcurrant and bitter cherry. This has a dark refinement to it, in a nonchalant sort of way. 60% new oak. 13.5% abv. 

C&B Score: 16.5-17

Drinking dates 2028 - 38

57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Dark berry fruit and firm, grippy tannins. This is a weighty, full-bodied Chasse-Spleen that demands patience. There is a lightness of touch to the mid-palate that promises well, however. Cropped at 34hl/ha. 40% new oak. 13% abv.

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2028-36

62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Rich dark fruit and cedary spices on the nose, with vanilla pod. The palate opens with generous dark berry fruit lifted by violet and raspberry flavours. The full-bodied mid-palate’s polished fruit is supported by a firm tannic chassis. 13.1% abv. 80% new oak. 57.78l/ha. Harvested 14th September – 5th October.

C&B Score: 17-17.5

Drinking dates: 2030-45

 

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenere. An extrovert nose — dark berries with a red cherry, cranberry and plum lift. The full-bodied palate is fresh and has great momentum, the impressive volume of fruit and tannin carried effortlessly on a wave of citrussy acidity. Good Kirwan typicity — a distinctive style which works well this year. Cropped at 50hl/ha. 50% new oak.  

 

C&B Score - 17-17.5

Drinking dates: 2028- 2040

 

71.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 1.5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Minty dark berried aromas lead into a medium-bodied palate of fresh blackcurrant and lifted raspberry aromas. Light on its feet and attractive, pretty and substantial. Cropped at 38.5hl/ha. 60% new oak. 13.5% abv. 

C&B Score: 17.5-18

Drinking dates: 2030-42

64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Elegant dark berry aromas with violets and cedary spices. The full-bodied palate is assertive on the attack with rich dark berry fruit guided by impressively elegant tannins and fine rocky minerality. Harvested between 13^th September and 5^th October. 13.35% abv.

C&B Score: 17.8-18

Drinking dates: 2027-37

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 2.5% Petit Verdot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc. A refined nose of bitter cherry, cassis and raspberry, this is very pure, with cedary spices. The full-bodied palate is energetic and shiny, the rich dark fruit refreshed by lithe acidity and framed by plush tannins. Impressive. Harvested between 18^th September and 2^nd October. 50% new oak. 13.83% abv. 

C&B Score: 18

Drinking dates: 2028-40

77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot. Dark, chocolatey aromas, leading into a palate of profound cassis and blackberry, lifted by fresh acidity and framed by firm, grippy tannins. This is not a charmer at this early stage but we have a lot of faith in this estate and do not hesitate to recommend the wine. Cropped at 48hl/ha. Harvested between 11th and 28th September. 75% new oak. 13% abv.

C&B Score: 17.5

Drinking dates: 2030-45

61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. An attractive nose of violets and red berry fruit with fine cassis aromas. The palate is substantial but fresh, with the dark berry fruit framed by fine, firm, fruit-coated tannins. There is a winning ease here. Harvested between the 5^th and 28^th September.    

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2030-42

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc. A discreet, darkly-fruited nose of reticent ripe cassis and fine cedary spices. The palate’s rich dark berry fruit is refreshed by bright raspberry notes and lifted by fresh acidity. The tannins are certainly present but are beautifully fruit-coated, channelling the palate to a fine point on the long, powerful finish. Harvested between 5^th and 28^th September.   

C&B Score: 18

Drinking dates: 2032-52

 

Dark berry fruit and intense cedar, leading into a palate of firm grippy tannins. The fruit may struggle with the tannins here. 14% abv.

C&B Score: 15.5
Drinking dates: 2028-35

56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Pure dark berry aromas, ripe and focused. The palate’s rich dark fruit is fine, framed by grippy tannins that will require some patience. This is a step up for Mauvesin-Barton, which is headed in a good direction. Harvested between 14th and 26th September. This will age in a third new oak. 13.4% abv.

 

C&B Score: 17+

Drinking dates: 2027-32

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot. Cassis, fresh mint leaf and violets make for an attractive nose. The palate’s rich dark berry fruit is guided by firmly structured, grippy tannins, with ferrous minerality adding complexity. Harvested between 11^th September and 4^th October. 13.5% abv. 

C&B Score: 16.5-17

Drinking dates: 2028 - 38

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. Pure blackberry fruit with a wild strawberry lift. The palate opens immediate and accessible, revealing a mid-palate of rich red and black berry fruit, which despite its considerable weight is very finely rendered. The tannins are a real standout, being deftly fruit-coated and ushering the fruit through to a long finish. Cropped at 37hl/ha. 70% new oak. 13.2% abv. 

C&B Score: 18

Drinking dates: 2032-47

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot. Delicately red-berried aromas make this a stand-out against its peers in the appellation. The full-bodied palate is richly raspberry-fruited, with a ferrous, chalky grip making for a Lagune of substance and presence. Cropped at 30hl/ha. Around half new oak barrels. 13.5% abv.  

C&B Score: 17.5

Drinking dates: 2028-38