Bordeaux 2023 Vintage

Not tasted

Case of 6 bottles: £1,560 IB UK
Case of 3 magnums: £1,570 IB UK

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

Case of 6 bottles: £165 IB UK
Case of 3 magnums: £175 IB UK

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

Case of 6 bottles: £330 IB UK
Case of 3 magnums: £340 IB UK

From the Mouton Rothschild stable. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Shiny dark berry fruit aromas, with violets. The medium-bodied palate is darkly fruited and immediate, with fine, grippy tannins. Harvested between 7th and 30th September. 50% new oak. 13.5% abv. 

C&B Score: 17+

Drinking dates: 2028 - 38

Case of 6 bottles: £204 IB UK
Case of 3 magnums: £214 IB UK

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

Case of 6 bottles: £660 IB UK

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+

Case of 6 bottles: £822 IB UK
Case of 3 magnums: £833 IB UK

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

Case of 3 bottles: £1017 IB UK
Case of 1 Magnum: £688 IB UK

Not tasted

77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Bitter cherry aromas, with a palate of cool, juicy, vibrant fruit on the palate, framed by fine, grippy tannins. Deceptively full bodied, impressive.  Cropped at 54hl/ha. Harvested between 13th and 8th October. 60% new oak. 13% abv. 

C&B Score:  17-17.5

Drinking dates: 2030-44

Case of 6 bottles: £231 IB UK

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

Case of 6 bottles: £165 IB UK

Not tasted

Case of 6 bottles: £180 IB UK

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+

Case of 3 bottles: £1230 IB UK

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

Case of 3 bottles: £465 IB UK

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

Case of 6 Bottles: £165 IB UK

78% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Minty, coffeed and discreetly rich, L’Evangile 2023 is a classy Pomerol which builds by stealth on the mid-palate into a driving, chalky finish. Harvested between 4th and 28th September. 13.5% abv.

C&B Score: 17.5+
Drinking dates: 2030-46

Case of 6 bottles: £948 IB UK

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

Case of 6 bottles: £340 IB UK

667% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark herbaceous aromas, with minty lift and sweet spices. The palate is pure and silky, the dark cherry fruit lifted by fresh acidity. Fine and crunchy. The yield was 46l/ha. Harvested between 9th and 28th September. 40% new oak. 13.39% abv

C&B Score: 17+

Drinking dates: 2028-41

Case of 6 bottles: £288 IB UK

From the Léoville-Las Cases stable. 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc. Cassis and fine cedary spice aromas, with herbaceous detailing from the Cabernet Franc. The medium-bodied, grippy palate is sinewy and finely detailed, with fruit-coated chalky tannins. Dark berry perfume on the finish. 48hl/ha. Harvested between 18th and 29th September. 20% new oak. 13.4% abv. 

C&B Score: 17+

Drinking dates: 2028 – 2034

Case of 6 bottles: £90 IB UK

From the Léoville Las Cases stable, Clos du Marquis is a separate vineyard, further west: a flatter site with finer gravel than Las Cases. 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc. This is the first vintage made in the new Las Cases cellars. Cassis and cedar aromas, a classic St-Julien nose. The palate opens ferrous and lean, with fresh mint and black pepper, revealing fine dark berry fruit on the mid-palate, all framed by firm, elegant tannins. Cropped at 44hl/ha. Harvested between 6th September and 5th October. 50% new oak. 13.5% abv. 

C&B Score: 17.5

Drinking dates: 2028-40

Case of 6 bottles £231 IB UK

86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot. A refined nose of elegant dark berry fruit, cassis and cedar, with dark rocky minerality. The palate is beautifully perfumed on the entry, red berry aromas dancing above the cool blackberry and blackcurrant flavours. The mid-palate is currently compressed and carapaced, dark berries and hints of a tangerine flair. Highly classical, with fine, ferrous tannins. Cropped at 43hl/ha. Harvested between 9th September and 2nd October. 80% new oak. 13.1% abv. 

 

C&B Score: 18

Drinking dates: 2030-47

Case of 6 bottles: £831 IB UK

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

Case of 6 bottles: £395 IB UK

Not tasted

Not tasted by C&B

Case of 6 bottles: £540 IB UK

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

72% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot. This is a third wine of Ducru Beaucaillou. Intense ruby colour. The nose has ripe dark berry fruit with cedary spices. Fine grippy tannins. Harvested between 8th September and 3rd October. 13.7% abv. 

C&B Score: 16.5

Drinking dates: 2026-33

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot. Dark, shiny berry fruit, framed by fine tannins with minty lift. Elegant and traditional. Harvested between 5th September and 2nd October. Ageing in 50% new oak, 35% one-year-old barrels, 15% earthenware jars. 13.3% abv.

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2028-38

98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. From the Calon Segur stable, this 3.67ha estate is on the plateau of Pomerol. Bright raspberry and fennel aromas. The medium-bodied palate is red fruited, juicy and textural, the firm tannins nicely fruit-coated. 

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2028-39

58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc. Bright red berry fruit aromas, leading into a medium-full bodied palate which is fresh on the attack, then increasingly constrained by a grippy back-palate. Cropped at 45hl/ha. 50% new oak. 14% abv. 

C&B Score: 16+

Drinking dates: 2029-41

53% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot and 3% Cabernet. Red plum aromas with warm spices and a touch of sweetness. The palate is raspberry fruited, with chalky intensity, framed by chewy tannins and lifted by lively acidity. 

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2029-41

99% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Aromas of dried herbs, leading into a palate of lifted raspberry fruit on which assertive, drying tannins predominate at present.

C&B Score: 16.5

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

An estate we know of old, which now forms part of the Calon-Ségur stable. Cedary dark berry fruit aromas leading into a vibrant, full-bodied palate of bitter cherry and liquorice, framed by ferrous tannins.

C&B Score: 17.5
Drinking dates: 2029-40

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

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

Part of the Vauthier family’s Ausone stable. 64% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Carmenère. Dark and red berry aromas, with powdered cocoa and a little bell pepper. The palate is raspberry-fruited and fresh, framed by fine, chalky tannins. Harvested between 12th September and 5th October. 33% in barrel. 

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2028-38

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

A nose of noteworthy depth, with dark plum aromas. The richly textured palate offers plush dark fruit. This score may prove conservative.

C&B Score: 16+
Drinking dates: 2029-34+

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

75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Seductive blackberry preserve, plum and star anise aromas. The palate is rich and mineral textured, with ripe, fruit coated tannins which are balanced by fine, linear acidity. Bitter chocolate notes persist on the finish. Cropped at 42hl/ha. 80% new oak. 14% abv. 

C&B Score: 17.5+

Drinking dates: 2030-42

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

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. A refined nose of cedar and cassis opens onto a full-bodied yet refined palate of seamless dark berry fruit, framed by very fine tannins which exert a serious grip on the finish. This is a Domaine de Chevalier for the long term, very impressive. Cropped at 30l/ha. 35% new oak. 13% abv. 

C&B Score: 18

Drinking dates: 2029-42

61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Bright dark berry fruit with sweet spices, framed by firm grippy tannins. Good St-Estephe character. 53hl/ha. 50% new oak. 13.5% abv. 

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2029-41

88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc. Bright, exuberant violet and raspberry aromas. The full-bodied palate displays fleshy bright raspberry, blackberry and violet hued fruit, framed by firm, grippy tannins. Cropped at 43hl/ha. Harvested between 7th September and 2nd October. 70% new oak. 14% abv.

C&B Score: 18
Drinking dates: 2030 - 2042

58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Elegant raspberry, violet and bitter chocolate aromas. The palate is fine, supple, tender and gently, insistently firm and concentrated. 50% new oak. 

C&B Score: 17.5+
Drinking dates: 2029-2047

55.5% Merlot, 40.9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3.6% Cabernet Franc. The second wine of Haut-Brion displays a cool red-berried nose, leading into a fine-boned palate of clipped raspberry fruit and chalky minerality, framed by filigree, grippy tannins. Harvested between 6th September and 4th October. 22.5% new oak. 14.5% abv. This represents 38% of the estate’s total production. 

C&B Score: 17

Drinking dates: 2028-40

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Bright raspberry, blackberry and plum, with cedary spice aromas. The palate is dark and shiny, the blackcurrant fruit framed by fine, grippy tannins. Fresh acidity lifts the mid-palate, through to a long finish. Cropped at 46hl/ha. Harvested between 7th September and 4th October. 40% new oak. 13.5% abv. 

C&B Score: 17.5

Drinking dates: 2028-38 

58.1% Sauvignon Blanc and 41.9% Sémillon. A serene nose of green citrus rind and pear. The palate is fine-boned and pure, with a waxy crunch to the elegant citrus and orchard fruit. Fresh acids enhance the sense of stony minerality. Harvested between 21st August and 4th September. 50.3% new oak. 13.8% abv. Around 400 cases were made. 

C&B Score: 17.5-18

Drinking dates: 2028-42

100% Sauvignon Blanc. Grassy, green citrus aromas. The palate has grapefruit and stony minerality, with textured grip and a salty finish. Cropped at 50hl/ha. Harvested between 29th August and 12th September. 25% new oak. 13% abv.

C&B Score: 16.517

Drinking dates: 2025-28 

Dark berry fruit and firm cedary spices, leading into a palate of plush raspberry fruit, framed by chalky tannins.  

 

C&B Score: 16

Drinking dates: 2028-34

65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Blackcurrant and red berry fruit mingle with subtle vanilla aromas on the nose. The palate is cassis dominated, with fine powdery tannins and a refreshing acidity. There is power here that will take some time to tame. 

C&B Score: 17+

Drinking dates: 2030-42

74% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Raspberry, blueberry, peony and bitter chocolate aromas, very pretty. The palate is fleshy on the attack, then hunkers down on the mid-palate, through which runs a herbaceous, minty seam, with fine but rather drying tannins. This score may prove conservative.

C&B Score: 16.5-17

Drinking dates: 2029-41

From the Clos Fourtet stable since 2008, Poujeaux is a 72ha estate in Moulis. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot. Elegant dark berry fruit aromas leading into a medium-bodied palate of blackberry and very firm, drying tannins. Cropped at 38hl/ha. 30% new oak. 12.5% abv. 

C&B Score: 15.5

Drinking dates: 2027-34

60% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot. Ausone is a 7.25ha vineyard on the St-Émilion limestone plateau, whose vines are 55 years old on average. A multi-faceted nose of raspberry, violet and dried herbs, with bitter chocolate. The medium-bodied palate opens with cool red berry fruit, framed by elegant tannins. Silky and taperingly fine, very classy. Harvested between 14th and 30th September. 100% new oak.

C&B Score: 18

Drinking dates: 2030-47