Bordeaux woes

[Jenise]

Woe as in: I'm so sorry I'm not adding Bordeaux to my cellar. This note on the '23 vintage makes me especially sad: "The verdict is in: 2023 is a return to a “classic” Bordeaux style. During my tastings in April I encountered wines with beautifully ripe, yet balanced, fresh fruit, lower alcohol levels, higher acidity, and the tannic structure to support long-term aging. The best 2023s exhibited fully ripe tannins (which I found to be remarkably well-integrated even in this early phase) and a silky, supple mouthfeel that reminded me of the sunny 2019 vintage. Overall, the vintage tended to magnify the style of each estate producing remarkably distinctive wines. 2023 was a year for Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to shine and comprise larger percentages of the final blends than in years past."

Never thought I'd see Bordeaux plummeting in price and popularity the way they have of late.

[David M. Bueker]

If I was still buying wine I would buy some 2023 Bordeaux. But I’m not.

I have a lot of Bordeaux (c. 40 cases) ranging from 1964 to 2015, and I prefer a well aged wine, so I stopped buying a few years ago and decided I'd just get to drinking what I have. In fact I have stopped buying quite a few wines I used to like and am drinking my 80s/90s vintages from all over.

Reviews will always tout the latest and greatest release at the vintage of the century or whatever. The 2022 was killer and in the late teens all of the vintages were very good But better to enjoy the well aged wines one has than to lay down wines that shouldn't be touched for a decade or two.

Sounds like some interesting local climates. The 23 vintage further east in France (and Germany) was a hot ripe year. The cold and rainy July lost a lot of grapes and then the August heatwave baked and dried what was left. Much darker and riper fruit than 22 or 21, and not really 'classic'. Although of course these days good producers manage to make good wine and express themselves, even in these challenging vintages.

[Jenise]

Bill, I'm just lamenting that I'm not 30 with another decade or two left in which to enjoy these wines we can buy now.

I’m 25 cases behind Bill, and if memory serves, maybe 10 or 12 years. Riiiiight on the bubble, dang it.

Going to have to start drinking more old claret - especially at our lunches, Jenise. Both Alvin and I 'came up' through the Commanderie de Bordeaux, an organization dedicated to the wines of the region. Best memory was having a dinner hosted by Corinne Mentzelopoulos, owner of Ch. Margaux and after speaking to her at the dinner, we left the next day for Bordeaux, having arranged personal visits to both Margaux and Mouton. Had to be my best and most memorable Bordeaux day ever!!

Similar situation. 500 or so bottles, 1959-2015. I find Bordeaux pretty uninteresting until showing some maturity, which depending on vintage/property can range from 15-30 years for me. I like stronger wines from 60s and 70s, think better wines from 80s have plenty of gas left in tank, and find most LB 96s and RB 98s good but young. I'm going to be 64 and see no reason to buy young Bordeaux.

I'm going to be 64 and see no reason to buy young Bordeaux.

Too bad you aren't visiting, Dale - I could use you as an excuse to open a 64 wine!