Press Kit: Grand Cercle En Primeur 2023

En primeur 2023

“The Grand Cercle des Vins de Bordeaux's strength lies in our ability to unite Bordeaux Right and Left Bank wines. Since 2013, we have worked to increase recognition for our talented Châteaux, striving to make excellence affordable.

We run many events throughout the year, but the annual Bordeaux En Primeur tasting in London is a firm favourite. This year is particularly special, as it is the 10th Grand Cercle vintage, so it only seems apt to celebrate with a selection of our Châteaux's wines from the last decade to taste alongside the 2023 vintage.”

Alain Raynaud Founder & President of Grand Cercle des Vins de Bordeaux

London calling

The Grand Cercle des Vins de Bordeaux is made up of 125 Châteaux, spread across 27 appellations and 2664 hectares of vines, but only 1 city is chosen for our international En Primeur Preview: London.

This annual event is the opportunity for British trade professionals and journalists to preview the vintage en primeur as well as the latest vintage ready for sale.

This year, for the first time, in recognition of 2023 being Grand Cercle's 10th vintage, the participating Châteaux have been invited to bring a selection of wines from the past decade to contribute to the throwback corner and see the breadth and variety across the different vintages.

A decade of wines...

2014

“Certainly a magnificent vintage miraculously saved... confirming, for 2014 in Bordeaux at least, Pierre Daninos’ words: with the vine, miracles are one ofFrance’smaincrops.”

- DanyRolland

2013

“2013 will really be a “covetous” vintage, to savour by rediscovering a simple traditional style for those who yearn for lighter wines, with fresh aromas and less alcohol than in hot years”

- DanyRolland

2015

“2015 is certainly a magnificent vintage, with yields often ample and quality in keeping with 1985s, 1995s, 2001s & 2009s, but it will not be a clone of one of these and that’s the specificity of our old world with its climate so full of subtle changes...”

- DanyRolland

... a decade of vintage reports

2016

“A never before seen vintage?

Definitely, for the first time in memory it was a first in terms of the weather and technical advances and uses played an important part.

An exceptional vintage?

Definitely in the glass.”

- DanyRolland

2018

“So, what is there to say about a season, a year….?

That at the moment of tasting these wines, some of which have only just recently completed their fermentations, all the soul of this vintage is found in the glass, with its promise of standing the test of time.”

- DanyRolland

2017

“In vineyards 2017 was a mean and extremely trying vintage, but in vats or barrels, and today in glasses, it gives superb expressions of fruit and good body, with lively tannins for red wines, obtained by quite gentle extractions to maintain the balance of traditional Bordeaux that a certain tightness keeps pure, elegant and firm.”

- DanyRolland

2019

“The important thing was, as always, to think carefully, adapting interventions and deciding on the dates to harvest, depending on various terroirs, exposures and ability of soils and vines to withstand the elements: sun, heat, drought, rain… ”

- DanyRolland

2021

“The vintage reflects an era that brought Bordeaux to fame for crafting fresh, balanced, and structured wines, which may require some patience to unveil their complete complexity.”

-

David

Pernet, & the Sovivins team

2020

"In summary: Some terroirs experienced historically early ripening, resulting in fully mature grapes and perfectly controlled, selectively harvested yields, as we have learned over the past two decades!”

- DanyRolland

2022

“The resilience of the vine is remarkable; while other plants wither or require excessive amounts of water, it adapts by reducing the size of its fruits to enhance their richness. A valuable life lesson...”

-

David

Pernet, & the Sovivins team

"2023, yet another vintage where quality does not necessarily equate to ease...

2023 also stands out as a bountiful vintage in terms of yield, benefiting from optimal ripening conditions that showcase the vine's adaptability to extreme weather patterns.

Did it get very hot during ripening? Fortunately! Once again, as is often the case in exceptional vintages, attention should not be solely on young vines or parched plots that may have suffered. The high temperatures at the end of August and early September facilitated ripening to often very (perhaps overly) comfortable yields. Such maturity might not have been achieved under more traditional conditions.

While 2023 may lack the uniformity of 2022, it embodies many characteristics reminiscent of the remarkable 2018 vintage, albeit influenced by varying yields depending on specific circumstances.”

- David Pernet, & the Sovivins team

33 Châteaux showcasing their 2023 harvest in London

Médoc

Château La Cardonne

Château Loudenne

Margaux

Château Le Coteau

Château Haut-Breton Larigaudière

Haut-Médoc

Château d’Arcins

Château Belle-Vue

Château Cambon La Pelouse

Château Lanessan

Castillon / Côtes de Bordeaux

Château de Laussac

Pomerol

Château Maillet

Château Mazeyres

Clos Vieux Taillefer

Saint-Émilion

Grand Cru

Château Blanche Hermine

Château Soutard-Cadet

Château Tour de Pressac

Saint-Émilion

Grand Cru C lassé

Château La Croizille

Clos Dubreuil

Château Fonroque

Château Laroze

Château La Marzelle

Château Montlabert

Château de Pressac

Château Rol Valentin

Château Sansonnet

Château Tour Baladoz

Château Yon-Figeac

Cadillac / Côtes de Bordeaux

Château de Haut Coulon

Fronsac

Château Dalem

Château de La Dauphine

Château de La Huste

Château Moulin Haut-Laroque

Château La Vieille Cure

Lalande de Pomerol

Château Siaurac