All of the following 2023 Cotes de Bordeaux wines were tasted in Bordeaux in April in non-blind tasting conditions. Most of the wines were tasted at the property. However, I also tasted several wines at Negociants, Consultants, or with various trade groups.
There are few better wine regions than the Cotes de Bordeaux, along with Bordeaux Superieur offering quality wines that age, with character, and price, that sell for a song. While 2023 was challenging for numerous producers in the Cotes, and Bordeaux Superieur, there are produces with the terroir, and ability to select that used a deft this year, who managed to make charming wines, that sell for a song, meriting your attention.
2023 Cotes de Bordeaux and 2023 Bordeaux Superieur Wines
2023 Balthus – Bordeaux Supérieur – Chalky, ripe, dark, red fruits, licorice, black cherries, espresso, and dark chocolate nuances are ripe, fresh, round, and chewy. You can enjoy this with pleasure on release. Drink from 2026-2034. 89-91 Pts
2023 Dame de Coeur du Château Peyfaures – Bordeaux Supérieur – Soft, supple, early-drinking charmer with a core of accessible, chocolate-covered cherries, and plums that will be a pleasure to enjoy on release. Drink from 2026-2031. 87-89 Pts
2023 De La Cour d’Argent – Bordeaux Supérieur – Soft, supple, fresh, and fruity, with a vibrant, fresh, cream of sweet, black cherries and a refreshing touch of mint. The wine blends 95% Merlot with 5% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2032. 89-91 Pts
2023 Grand Village – Bordeaux Supérieur – Black raspberries, pepper, flowers, and spearmint form the nose. The medium-bodied wine is fresh, juicy, and fruity, with sweetness to the cherries, and plums on the palate. The wine has tension, and complexity, with a nice, red plum, and tobacco leaf finish. If you are seeking a Right Bank value wine, they do not get much better than this! The wine blends 91% Merlot with 9% Cabernet Franc. Harvesting took place September 9 – September 23. Drink from 2026-2035. 91-93 Pts
2023 Les Perrieres – Bordeaux Supérieur – Cigar box, mint, spice, crushed rocks, black raspberries, sea salt, and red plums fill the perfume. The fruit is bright, fresh, crisp, and racy, The marine influence is quite strong, adding its salt-crusted nuances to the red berries on the mid-palate, and in the finish. This is the only vintage featuring 100% Cabernet Franc. The property has not decided if this is a trend, or a one-time-only wine. So, if you are a Cabernet Franc fan, get it while it is hot! The harvest took place September 20-September 27. Drink from 2027-2040. 92-94 Pts
2023 Pabus – Bordeaux Supérieur – Forward and fresh, with a wealth of cherries, cocoa, licorice, plums and chocolate in the nose, and on the palate. Drink from 2026-2034. 89-91 Pts
2023 Pey-La-Tour Reserve – Bordeaux Supérieur – Espresso, with smoky black cherries shine in the nose and on the fresh, fruity, soft-palate. Drink from 2026-2032. 89-91 Pts
2023 Reignac – Bordeaux Supérieur – Fresh, fruity, soft, and supple, the wine is forward, vibrant, and offers a nice blast of red fruits, mint and spice. Drink from 2026-2035. 90-92 Pts
2023 Le Doyenné – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, bright, fresh, red berries, with a touch of salt and herbs in the finish. You can enjoy this with pleasure on release. Drink from 2026-2030. 87-89 Pts
2023 Gaby – Canon-Fronsac – Ripe, round, and fruity, with black cherries, licorice, and chocolate on display. Forward, and fruity, this is going to offer pleasure on release. Drink from 2026-2033. 89-91 Pts
2023 Alcee – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Flowers, blackberries, black cherries, and licorice, with a touch of spicy chocolate, show well in the nose, and on the medium-bodied palate. The wine is round, juicy, and fresh, with sweetness, lift, and a refreshing, spicy note on the back end in the finish. The wine was produced from 88% Merlot with 12% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2036. 91-93 Pts
2023 Cap de Faugeres – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Licorice, black cherries, and chocolate create the forward, soft, round, and creamy character here. Medium-bodied, with freshness, and energy, this is going to be delicious on release. The wine was blended with 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2036. 90-92 Pts
2023 Clos Lunelles – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Flowers, licorice, spice, chocolate-coated black cherries, mint, and black plums get the aromatics going. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, with a salty, black with red fruit core of ripe, sweet, fresh berries. The salty-chocolate fruits linger on the palate, and in the finish with their mineral-driven essence. The wine was made from blending 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc, 14.42% ABV, 3.63 pH. Drink from 2028-2040. 92-94 Pts
2023 Clos Puy Arnaud – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Flowers, chalk, and vibrant red fruits with a salty edge come through easily. The palate is energetic, with a liberal dose of crushed stones, and black cherries, leaving you with ample fruit, and mint in the finish. The wine blends 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2027-2038. 89-91 Pts
2023 DAiguilhe – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – It is the refreshing mouthfeel, along with its chalky character that sets this apart from other wines from the Cotes. Long, ripe, and intense, with vibrancy, the salty, chalky accents to the red pit fruits stand out in the nose, palate, and in the finsh. The wine is made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. 14% ABV. Drink from 2027-2039. 92-94 Pts
2023 DAiguilhe Querre – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Forward, medium-bodied, with nuances of black cherries, licorice, crushed stone, and plums at its core. You also find a mid-palate, and finish with layers of chocolate-covered cherries, with a hint of salt on the backend. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2033. 89-91 Pts
2023 DArce – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Spicy red fruits, flowers, ginger, and raspberries fill the perfume. The medium-bodied wine is fresh, vibrant, aromatic, spicy and lifted, with a soft, supple, spicy, cherry filled mid-palate and finish. The wine blends 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2036. 90-92 Pts
2023 Joanin Becot – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Cherries, flowers, crushed rocks, and stones, licorice, black plums, and cocoa display in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is loaded with sweet, ripe, black raspberries, cherries, and chocolate, with a refreshing salty-mint accent on the backend. The wine is a blend of 80% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Franc. 14.1% ABV, 3.5 pH. The wine is produced from some of the oldest vines in the appellation, with the oldest vines dating back to 1870! Drink from 2026-2035. 92-94 Pts
2023 LAurage – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Black raspberries, licorice, espresso, and floral aromatics fill the core of the wine on the nose, and on the palate. Sweet, vibrant, earthy, and fresh, with good energy, and lift in the chalky, edged, savory finish. The wine is produced from 100% Merlot. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2026-2038. 91-93 Pts
2023 Monbadon – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Flowers, cherries, and red plums are expressed in the perfume. The medium-bodied palate is soft, vibrant, polished, and lively, with sweetness, and lift on the mid-palate that carries through to the finish. The wine blends 55% Cabernet Franc, and 45% Merlot. The wine is aged in 50% new, French oak barrels and amphora. Drink from 2026-2036. 89-91 Pts
2023 Monbadon Indie de Monbadon – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, forward, fresh, early-drinking charmer which will deliver its bright, red berries, with their spicy accent with ease on release. Dink now, and over the next few years. The wine blends 51% Cabernet Franc and 49% Merlot. The wine is aged in a combination of 500 liter barrels, vats and amphora. Drink from 2026-2031. 87-89 Pts
2023 Montlandrie – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Tobacco, flowers, spices, cherries, and mint form the aromatic profile. The medium-bodied palate balances between its vibrant energy, and its sweet, and spicy, bright, red fruit side. There is elegance, and length in the red, pit fruit finish. Give it a year or two in the cellar, and enjoy it for 15 or more years. The wine blends 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2027-2040. 91-93 Pts
2023 Paloma – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, soft, fresh, and fruity, with a core of licorice, espresso, cherries, and plums, with a touch of salt at the end is the perfect setting for this easy-to-like, wine. You can enjoy this with pleasure on release. Drink from 2026-2033. 89-91 Pts
2023 Lafitte – Côtes de Bordeaux – Forward, soft, and supple, with a fruity, creamy-textured, mid-palate, and a chalky, chocolate, and cherry finish. This early drinking charmer will be quite nice on release. Drink from 2026-2034. 87-89 Pts
2023 Prieure Saint-Anne – Côtes de Bordeaux – Blended from 90% Merlot, with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is forward, floral, fruity, and round, with a soft-textured, easy-to-enjoy finish. Drink from 2025-2030. 89-91 Pts
2023 Moulin Eyquem – Côtes de Bourg – Earthy, tobacco, and meaty, dark red fruits with a rustic, herbal charm and a spicy, chewy edge is what you find here. Drink from 2026-2031. 86-88 Pts,
2023 Roc de Cambes – Côtes de Bourg – Concentrated, round, and juicy, with depth, lift, energy, and vibrance which allows the layers of dark, red berries, spice, and herbs to shine. The finish displays the sweetness, as well as the brightness in the fruit in the mid-palate, which carries all the way though to the chewy, red berry finish. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2027-2040. 92-94 Pts
2023 La Prade – Côtes de Francs – Medium-bodied, forward, with sweetness, and firmness, freshness, ripe, crisp, chewy, rustic, sweet, dark cherries, raspberries, and plums with licorice, florals, spice, and a touch of marine influences on the palate, as well as in the finish. You can enjoy this on release, or age it for at least a decade or more. Made from 79% Merlot, with 21% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2033. 91-93 Pts
2023 Les Charmes-Godard Blanc – Côtes de Francs – Lemon grass, white flowers, white peach, candied grapefruit, and honeysuckle create the nose and the core of the palate. The finish is packed with sweet, juicy Meyer lemons, tangerine, and green apples, with the perfect touch of salinity in the finish. The wine blends 73% Semillon 18% Sauvignon Blanc and 9% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2026-2031. 92 Pts
2023 Puygueraud – Côtes de Francs – Flowers, sea salt, red fruits, and licorice already show in the nose, The wine is medium-bodied, bright, fresh, fruity, and juicy, with lift, chewiness on the palate, and vibrancy in the finish. The wine blends 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec. Drink from 2026-2035. 89-91 Pts
2023 Puygueraud Blanc – Bordeaux – Green apples, white peach, orange rind, apricot, and pineapple nuances are at the core of this, bright, fresh, juicy, white Bordeaux. Lemon rind, white peach, and flowers on the nose get the wine going. The wine is sweet, juicy, creamy, and fresh on the palate, and in the finish. The wine blends 79% Sauvignon Blanc with 21% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2026-2030. 91 Pts
2023 Sainte Marie Vieilles Vignes – Entre Deux Mers Rouge – Medium-bodied, forward, fresh, fruity, easy-to-like, and easy-to-drink, as well as charming. This will be perfect to enjoy on release. Drink from 2026-2032.
2023 Dalem – Fronsac – Black cherries, licorice, spice, and floral notes work perfectly in the nose. On the palate the wine is vibrant, fresh, chewy, and a touch salty, leaving you with sweet red fruits, licorice, and a bright, firm, crisp, red pit fruit finish. Drink from 2026-2037. 91-93 Pts
2023 De Carles – Fronsac – Flowers, and black cherries define the essence of the wine here. On the palate, the wine is soft, polished, and fresh, with chocolate, and plums on the mid-palate, and in the finish. The wine was made from 100% Merlot. Drink from 2026-2033. 90-92 Pts
2023 De la Huste – Fronsac – Bright, crisp, fresh, and salty, with ample, ripe, red, with black plums, crushed stone, and licorice nuances with a touch of mint on the backend. You can enjoy this on release. Drink from 2026-2032. 89-91 Pts
2023 Fontenil – Fronsac – Dark in color, the wine exudes flowers, black with red fruits, licorice, cocoa, citrus, and crushed rocks. Lush, as well as refined, the wine is vibrant, creamy, and expressive, with loads of minerality that becomes even more apparent as the finish lingers and expands. Considering the small size of the vineyard, taking 20 days to harvest explains the success of the wine this year. The wine is produced from 100% Merlot. Drink from 2026-2042. 92-94 Pts
2023 Haut Carles – Fronsac – Licorice, black cherries, chocolate, and flowers show in the nose. On the palate, the wine is lush, polished, sweet, and fresh, with ripe, chocolate, and plums in the finish. Drink from 2026-2037. 91-93 Pts
2023 La Dauphine – Fronsac – This is a hidden gem. If you want an outstanding wine that sells for song, with aromatics, intensity, finesse, and charm, along with a boatload of ripe, red fruits, creamy-textures, and a fruit-filled finish, this is for you. La Dauphine is now one of the top wines from Fronsac. Drink from 2027-2040. 93-95 Pts
2023 La Riviere – Fronsac – Black cherries, licorice, and chocolate come together in this round, forward, fruity, lush, soft-textured wine. The finish is sweet, polished, and packed, with dark red berries. Drink from 2026-2035. 90-92 Pts
2023 La Rousselle – Fronsac – Flowers, fruit, and freshness, with a touch of salt on the backend, to make the round, polished, sweet, ripe, black cherries, and juicy plums even better. Drink from 2026-2035. 90-92 Pts
2023 La Vieille Cure – Fronsac – Minty, with licorice, salty cherries, plums, and crushed stone notes start the wine off. From there, the wine is medium-bodied, fresh, soft, forward, refined, and fruity. If you are seeking a really nice wine, without spending a lot of bucks, check this wine out. You can enjoy it with pleasure on release, and for another 12 or more years after that. Drink from 2027-2040. 91-93 Pts
2023 Les-Trois-Croix – Fronsac – Kicking off with crushed rocks, marine influences, dark, red fruits and spice in the nose, the wine is supple, fresh, fruity, and complex, finishing with salty, cherries, raspberries, and plums. Drink from 2026-2038. 92-94 Pts
2023 Moulin-Haut-Laroque – Fronsac – Black raspberries, cherries, licorice, and chocolate create the core of this charming, easy-to-like, and easy-to-drink wine. This should deliver pleasure for at least 10- 12 years. Drink from 2026-2036. 90-92 Pts
2023 Hostens Picant – Sainte Foy Bordeaux – An interesting blend, due to mildew pressure, the wine blends 89% Cabernet Sauvignon with 11% Cabernet Franc to produce a sine loaded with cedar, tobacco leaf, mint, wet forest, and red currants. Medium-bodied, almost light, the crisp red berries are fresh, but they fade quickly in the finish. Drink from 2026-2031. 86-88 Pts
2023 Pas de la Colline – Vin de France – One of few, or the only Bordeaux produced from blending Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc is fresh, round, fruity, and polished, with a bright finish. Clearly, an interesting wine, and blend. Signature Selections Exclusive. This is going to be quite easy to enjoy on release. Drink from 2026-3031.
2023 Bad Boy Syrah – Vin de Table Français – Flowers, peppery, leafy herbs, and black raspberries form the core of this medium-bodied, ripe, dark, meaty, fresh, and spicy wine. The creamy textured finish is loaded with peppery, red fruits. Jean Luc Thunevin is the only vintner in Bordeaux producing this fun-to-drink, 100% Syrah. This will be best enjoyed in its youth. Drink from 2026-2032. 89-91 Pts
Up next, we are continuing our look at the best 2023 Red and White AOC Bordeaux Wines followed by 2023 St. Emilion Satellite Appellation Wines, 2023 Lussac Saint Emilion, 2023 Montagane Saint Emilion, 2023 Puisseguin Saint Emilion before we get to tasting notes and ratings on more than 160 wines from St. Emilion which will be published in 3 parts.
For a detailed overview of the 2023 Bordeaux vintage, growing season, and harvest, with links to all of our appellation reports 2023 Bordeaux Vintage Analysis with Buying Tips for the Best Wines of the Vintage
