I like 2023 white Bordeaux wine. They offer what is great, as well as unique about these wines. They are aromatic, with a strong sense of florality. Overall the wines are fresh, with vibrancy, elegance, and purity in the fruits. They have ample lift, so they are not flabby, or overripe, which can happen with very hot, dry vintages. Lovers of Bordeaux Blanc should take a serious look at these wines.
Readers not seeking traditional white Bordeaux blends should look out for all the fun, ready-to-drink 2023 white Bordeaux wines blending non-traditional grape varietals. Chardonnay, Gros Manseng, Albarino, and other white wine grapes blended with Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon are often, fresh, refreshing and delicious. These are cool wines to taste, and perhaps they will help bring a younger crowd to know the estate’s Grand Vin.
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
All of the following 2023 White Bordeaux Wines were tasted in non-blind tasting conditions in Bordeaux in April.
2023 White Bordeaux Wine Report
2023 Alto de Cantenac Brown – Bordeaux – Ripe pineapples, white peach, tangerine, and white flowers create the perfume, and the core of the wine. The palate is round, fruity, lush, and fresh, with a pineapple, and lemon peel-focused finish. The wine was produced from a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon. Drink 2025-2031. 91 Pts
2023 Baret – Pessac-Léognan – Waxy lemons, pomelo, flowers, and lemon grass notes are in the nose, and on the sweet, vibrant, yellow citrus-filled palate, with a nice hint of pineapples coming in at the end of the finish. The wine is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Drink from 2025-2030. 90 Pts
2023 Bouscaut Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – White peach, vanilla, lemon curd, spice, and pineapple aromas are all over the place. On the palate, the wine is zesty, spicy, crisp, and racy, with a juicy, yellow citrus finish that leaves you with a hint of spice, and marzipan on the backend. Due to frost, only white wine was produced this year at Bouscaut. The wine is a blend of 59% Sauvignon Blanc, with 41% Semillon. 13.5% ABV. Drink from 2025-2032. 93 Pts
2023 Brane Cantenac Blanc – Bordeaux – Fresh cut lawn grass, green apples, white peach, and pineapple aromas take no effort to find. On the palate, the wine is soft, fresh, creamy and delivers its citrus, and sweet pineapples from start to finish. This is already delicious in your glass. The wine blends 62% Sauvignon with 28% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2033. 92 Pts
2023 Cantelys Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Pineapple, yellow citrus. white peach and mango notes shine through in the nose, and on the fresh, almost, zesty, creamy, palate. Drink from 2025-2030. 91 Pts
2023 Carbonnieux Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Granny Smith apples, flowers, lemon rind, honeysuckle, white peach, and pineapple is there with just a swirl or two in the perfume. Vibrant, fresh, and fruity with sweetness, spice, roundness, finishing with pineapples, white peach, lemon curd, with the touch of crushed sones in the backend. The wine blends 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2035. 93 Pts
2023 Chantegrive Blanc – Graves – Floral in nature, with green apples, spice, and white peach notes that show in the perfume, and on the sweet, ripe, and fresh, juicy palate. Drink from 2025-2030. 91 Pts
2023 Chantegrive Caroline Blanc – Graves – Juicy, fresh, and crisp yellow citrus, flowers, and pineapples, show easily in the nose. The palate, is sweet, ripe, energetic, and fresh, with loads of juicy, yellow citrus in the creamy finish. Drink from 2025-2032. 92 Pts
2023 ChateauOlivier Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Flowers, green apples, orange rind, and pineapples with a drizzle of white peach is easy to find, and enjoy on the nose, and on the crisp, fresh, mineral-accented, yellow-citrus oriented palate. This is going to be delicious to enjoy on release. The wine blends 80% Sauvignon Blanc, and 20% Semillon, 13.3% ABV. Drink from 2025-2032. 92 Pts
2023 Clarendelle Blanc – Bordeaux – Honeysuckle, and yellow citrus are already available here. The wine is crisp, fresh, and fruity, making this perfect to enjoy for uncomplicated tasting over the next few years. Drink from 2025-2028. 88 Pts
2023 Clos Marsalette Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Flowers, green apples, white, with spicy accents of ginger, and peppery spice, the wine is bright, fresh and crisp, with a citrus, chalk, and green apple finish. The wine blends 56% Sauvignon Blanc with 44% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2030. 91 Pts
2023 Clos de La Molenie Blanc – Bordeaux – White peach, and pineapples with a touch of mango on the nose and palate. Fresh, crisp, and fruity, the wine is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Drink from 2025-2028. 89 Pts
2023 Clos des Lunes Lune d’Argent – Bordeaux – Yellow tropical fruits, flowers, and green apples, with a hint of vanilla are ready to be enjoyed, in the nose, and on the forward, sweet, juicy, palate. This is ready-to-go as soon as it hits the stores. It is interesting to note that Clos des Lunes was the first wine being offered as a future from the 2023 vintage. The wine blends 70% Semillon with 30% Sauvignon Blanc. Drink from 2025-2030. 91 Pts
2023 Clos des Lunes Lune d’Or – Bordeaux – Honeysuckle, pineapples, green apples, mango, and pears show nicely in the nose, and on the creamy, fresh, and fruity palate. This is the first vintage produced from 100% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2031. 93 Pts
2023 Clos-du-Beau-Pere Blanc du Beau Père – Bordeaux – White peach, lemon curd, flowers, orange rind, and mango, with a touch of spice shine in this exotic, crisp, and fruity white wine from Bordeaux. Produced from blending 60% Sauvignon Blanc, and 40% Sauvignon Gris. The first white wine from Pomerol in over 100 years could only come from Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud. Good luck finding any as the production is limited to about 200 cases. Drink from 2025-2030. 90 Pts
2023 Cos d’Estournel Blanc – Bordeaux – Cos d’Estournel Blanc – Bordeaux – Pomelo, lemongrass, flowers, white peach, and crisp, green apples form the bouquet. The palate is zesty, fresh, and spicy, with a flattering crispness to the fruits, paired with a touch of honeysuckle that shines in the endnotes of the finish. This is the first vintage to include the new blocks, bringing the vineyard to 10 hectares of white wine grape varietals. The wine blends 70% Sauvignon Blanc, and 30% Semillon. Drink from 2024-2032. 95 Pts
2023 Cos dEstournel Pagodes de Cos Blanc – Bordeaux – Marzipan, white peach, honeysuckle, and lemon grass permeate the nose. The palate is round, bright fresh, and juicy, with white peaches and citrus in the finish. The wine is made from 80% Sauvignon Blanc with 20% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2030. 92 Pts
2023 Couhins Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Lemon grass, green apples, lemon rind, pomelo, and white flowers are easy to spot in the nose, and on the crisp, bright, citrus and pineapple-filled palate. Fresh, and juicy, with a powdery texture in the finish, this should be ready-to-go on release. The wine blends 96% Sauvignon Blanc with 4% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2025-2032. 91 Pts
2023 Couhins-Lurton Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – White flowers, lemons, grapefruit, green apples, vanilla, and a hint of white peach create the complex aromatic profile. Sweet, fresh, and vibrant, the wine displays its core of yellow citrus, with its salty, white peach accenting the palate with ease. The wine is close to 100% whole bunch fermented, and aged in a combination of new, and used French oak barrels, amphora, and finished in stainless steel vats. The wine is always produced with 100% Sauvignon Blanc. 13.5% ABV 3.06 pH. Drink from 2025-2031. 92 Pts
2023 Croix de Labrie Stella Solare – Bordeaux – Pineapple, white peach, flowers, green apples, honeysuckle, orange and spice create the complex aromatics. On the palate, the wine is lively, supple, and fruity with a vibrant pineapple, pear and green apple finish. This is already quite a treat in your glass. The wine finishes with sweet, juicy, yellow citrus along with a hint of mango. The wine blends 60% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon Gris, and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. Drink from 2025-2030. 92 Pts
2023 DAiguilhe Blanc – Bordeaux – Yellow tropical fruits, white peach, flowers, and orange rind notes pop in the crisp, sweet, and juicy, chalky wine. The wine is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. You can enjoy this with pleasure on release. Drink from 2025-2030. 92 Pts
2023 DAiguilhe Le Chardonnay d’Aiguilhe – Vin de Pays Pyrénees-Atlantiques – Pears, green apples, flowers, and tropical fruits shine in the nose, and on the fresh, sweet, juicy, crisp, citrus-oriented, fruity, vibrant palate. The wine is produced from 100% Chardonnay. Drink from 2025-2030. 92 Pts
2023 De Sours Quarry de Sours – Bordeaux – Honeysuckle, white peach, citrus, and flowers create the character here. This is perfect for young, early-drinking pleasure. Drink from 2024-2027. 88 Pts
2023 De-France – Pessac-Léognan – Forward, fresh, fruity, vibrant, early-drinking, citrus filled wine that is perfect for easy-drinking pleasure on release, and over the next few years. Drink from 2025 – 2030. 91 Pts
2023 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Juicy lemons, white flowers, pomelo, green apples, and a hint of pineapples crowd into the perfume. The palate is packed with ripe, sweet, creamy, yellow citrus, green apples, honeysuckle , crushed stones, and vanilla-tinted orange rinds. You can enjoy this in its youth, or age it for more complexity. Either way, it is a treat. The wine blends 70% Sauvignon Blanc with 30% Semillon, 14% ABV, 3.21 pH. The harvest took place August 28 – September 6. Drink from 2026-2037. 95 Pts
2023 Domaine de Chevalier L’Esprit de Chevalier Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Flowers, pomelo, green apples, and honeysuckle fills the perfume. Round, lush, creamy, and yet fresh, there is wealth of ripe, pineapple, mango, tangerine, and lemon curd nuances on the palate that already taste, and show great. The wine blends 65% Sauvignon Blanc, and 35% Semillon, 14% ABV. Drink from 2025-2032. 92 Pts
2023 Domaine de la Solitude Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Pineapple, vanilla, green apples, spice, pears, and white peach pop with little effort. The palate is juicy, creamy, and fresh, with sweet, yellow citrus from start to finish. The wine blends 65% Sauvignon Blanc, and 35% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2030. 91 Pts
2023 Du Tertre Blanc – Vin de France – White peaches, flowers, mango, spice, and vanilla aromatics offer the charms easily. The palate is lush, fresh, round, and fruity, with a hint of vanilla, and white peach that comes in at the end of the finish. The wine blends 32% Sauvignon Blanc, 23% Chardonnay, 23% Gros Manseng, and 22% Viognier planted in 6 hectares of vines, making it slightly easier to find, now that the production has increased. The wine is vinified in stainless steel and barrel-aged in 70% new, French oak barrels. Drink from 2026-2030. 91 Pts
2023 Ferrande Blanc – Graves – Ginger, spice, flowers, yellow citrus, and green apples are at the core of this bright, crisp, juicy, zesty, lemon, and pineapple filled wine. This is ready-to-go on release. The wine blends Sauvignon Blanc with Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2025-2028. 91 Pts
2023 Fieuzal Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Flowers, green apples, white peaches, lemon peel, tangerine zest, and honeysuckle form the core here. The wine has vibrancy, elegance, and a touch of chalky dust in the endnotes that accompany all those, sweet, ripe, yellow citrus notes along with a drop or two of vanilla. This will be great in your glass on release. The wine blends 60% Sauvignon Blanc, with 40% Semillon. 13% ABV. Drink from 2025-2030. 92 Pts
2023 Fleur Cardinale Blanc – Bordeaux – Flowers, white peach, green apples, and pears are ripe, sweet, and vibrant, with a citrusy, chalky finish. The blend is 55% Sauvignon Blanc, and 45% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2025-2030. 90 Pts
2023 Fleur Cardinale Intuition Blanc – Bordeaux – Forward, fruity, fun, easy to drink Bordeaux Blanc with a white peach, and citrus character. This is the second wine of Fleur Cardinale Blanc. The wine blends 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Semillon and 25% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2024-2028. 87 Pts
2023 Fontenil Le Blanc de Fontelil – Vin de France – 2023 Fontenil Le Blanc de Fontelil – Vin de France – White peaches, flowers, lemon peels, orange rind, and spice are presented in a bright, crisp, fresh vibrant style with ample, fruit, and complexity that offers the ability to be enjoyed young, or with age for more aromatic complexity. Drink from 2025-2032. 93 Pts
2023 Grand Village Blanc – Bordeaux – Flowers, lemon rind, pomelo, green apples, and a hint of pineapple define the wine. This is bright, crisp, and tense, with bite, and lift on the palate. This blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc, and 20% Semillon is ready to go. Drink from 2025-2030. 92 Pts
2023 Haut Brion Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Green apples, waxy lemon peels, ginger, and orange rind notes are all over the place. The wine is crisp, mineral-driven, fruity, and bright from start to finish. The wine is made from a blend of 58.1% Sauvignon Blanc, with 41.9% Semillon. 13.8% ABV. The picking took place August 21, finishing September 4. The length of harvest is extraordinary, considering there are only 2.5 hectares of vines. Drink from 2025-2040. 97 Pts
2023 Haut Brion La Clarte de Haut Brion Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Green apples, flowers, spice, and white peach notes create the core of this wine. Juicy, sweet, and fresh, with a lemon rind, and white peach palate, this will offer its charms on release. The wine blends 56.3% Semillon, with 43.7% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2037. 93 Pts
2023 La Fleur de Bouard Chardonnay – Vin de Pays Pyrénees-Atlantiques – Bright, vigorous yellow citrus, and white peaches are are fresh, and refreshing in this easy-to-like, ready white wine. Drink from 2025-2028. 90 Pts
2023 La Fleur de Bouard Sauvignon – Bordeaux – Green apples, pears, pomelo and tangerine pop in the nose, and on the vibrant, fruity, juicy, and fresh palate. Drink from 2025-2029. 90 Pts
2023 La Louviere Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Vibrant in nature, the wine is loaded with crisp, fresh, sweet, juicy, green apples, pomelo and touches of pineapple, and lemon rind. This is going to be quite nice to enjoy on release for all of its fruit, and vibrancy. Drink from 2025-2032. 93 Pts
2023 La Mission Haut Brion Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Waxy lemons, white peach, pineapple, and green apples come through in this vibrant, juicy, crisp, wine, which balances its juicy yellow citrus with its sweetness. The wine is made from a blend of 65.3% Semillon and 34.7% Sauvignon Blanc, picking took place August 24, and finishing September 5. The length of harvest is extraordinary, considering there are only 3.5 hectares of vines. 13.9% ABV, 3.3 pH. Drink from 2026-2040. 96 Pts
2023 La Tour Carnet Blanc – Bordeaux – Vibrant from the initial sniff, the wine is loaded with yellow citrus, pineapples, flowers, and mangos in the perfume. The palate is bright, and citrusy, with a crisp, pineapple, lemon and banana finish. The wine blends 67% Sauvignon Blanc with 33% Semillon. This is going to offer delicious drinking on release. Drink from 2025-2030. 92 Pts
2023 La-Tour-Martillac Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Green apples, white flowers, white peach, lemons, and honeysuckle are a treat to find in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is fresh, and focuses you easily on the crisp, juicy, sweet, lemons, and green apples in the palate, and in the finish. This will be easy to enjoy on release. The harvest took place August 18 – August 31.The wine blends 60% Sauvignon Blanc, with 40% Semillon. 13% ABV. Drink from 2025-2034. 93 Pts
2023 Lafaurie-Peyraguey Blanc Sec – Bordeaux – Lemongrass, white peaches, lemon rind, and flowers create the complex aromatics here. Vibrant, crisp, and citrusy, with a touch of crushed stone, adding complexity, this is good-to-go on release. The wine blends 60% Sauvignon Blanc, with 40% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2032. 92 Pts
2023 Lafont-Fourcat Blanc – Bordeaux Blanc – Flowers, white peaches, orange rind, and lemons are ripe, sweet, fruity, juicy, and ready-to-go as soon as the wine hits the stores. Drink from 2025-2028. 89 Pts
2023 Larrivet Haut Brion Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Yellow citrus, pomelo, white peach, flowers, and Granny Smith apple aromatics shoot from the glass. On the palate, the wine is sweet, vibrant, ripe, round, and fruity, finishing with a blend of ripe, grapefruits, white peaches, mango, and just a hint of spice that shows on the backend of the finish. The wine is produced from 86% Sauvignon Blanc, and 14% Semillon. Drink from 2026-2033. 94 Pts
2023 Le Nardian Blanc – Bordeaux – Pineapples, flowers, white peach, and honeysuckle notes are easy to spot in the nose, and on the sweet,, fruity, racy palate. The wine is a blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Muscadelle, and 15% Semillon. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2025-2029. 92 Pts
2023 Leroy-Beauval Blanc – Bordeaux – Ripe, sweet, white peach, lemons, oranges, and green apples make up the nose, and the palate here, in this delicious, ready-to-go, vibrant, white wine. Drink from 2025-2029. 89 Pts
2023 Les Champs Libres – Bordeaux – Green apples, lemons, pomelo, pineapples, and white flowers create the perfume. The wine is bright, and energetic, the fruit, and freshness of a ripe Meyer lemon on the palate. The wine is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, picked August 28-August 30. Drink from 2025-2034. 94 Pts
2023 Les Charmes-Godard Blanc – Côtes de Francs – White peach, yellow tropical fruit, honeysuckle, mango, and white flowers, create the nose. The palate is even better with its opulent, creamy-textured display of white, and yellow fruits, with a touch of honey on the backend. The wine blends 73% Semillon 18% Sauvignon Blanc and 9% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2026-2031. 92 Pts
2023 Lespault-Martillac Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Honeysuckle, white peaches, flowers, pineapples, orange rind, and vanilla show in the nose, as well as on the sweet, ripe, and creamy, round palate, finishing with a sweet touch of honey on top of the citrus in the finish. The wine blends 70%, old vine, Sauvignon Blanc with 30% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2030 92 Pts
2023 Lynch Bages Blanc de Lynch Bages – Bordeaux – Yellow citrus, pomelo, flowers, white peach, Granny Smith apples, and lemon curd notes blend together perfectly in the nose, and on the palate, leaving you with a citrusy, tropical note in the finish. The wine is produced from blending 81% Sauvignon Blanc, 11% Semillon, and 8% Muscadelle. Drink from 2024-2033. 93 Pts
2023 Malartic Lagraviere Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – White peach, flowers, pineapple, lemon curd, papaya, and orange skin create the bouquet. The palate carries that same theme even further with its bright, zesty, creamy, sweet, yellow citrus, pineapples, and Granny Smith apples with a dash of chalk on the backend. The wine blends 80% Sauvignon Blanc, with 20% Semillon. 13.2% ABV, 3.18 pH. Drink from 2025-2035. 94 Pts
2023 Malartic Lagraviere Le Comte de Malartic Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Honeysuckle, lemon rind, and crisp, green apples pop in the nose and on the palate in this juicy, fresh, ready-to-go white Bordeaux wine. Enjoy this over the next few years. Drink from 2025-2029. 90 Pts
2023 Margaux Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux – Bordeaux – White flowers, pomelo, white peach, green apples, and tangerine create the perfume. The palate continues with that theme. It takes a second before the fruits sneak up on you and starts to pop in the finish, leaving with you layers of sweet, vibrant, crisp, juicy, citrus, and green apples, with a complicating touch of chalk on the the backend. The wine is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc.13. ABV. 3.15 pH. Harvesting took place only in the mornings, from August 23 – August 30. Drink from 2025-2038. 95 Pts
2023 Marjosse Blanc – Entre-Deux-Mers – Lemons, grapefruit, and green apples crowd into the nose. On the palate, the wine is fresh, bright, and crisp, with a crunchy bite of green apples, and lemon juice in the finish. Easy to drink, this is a great summer wine for seafood, or just easy drinking pleasure. Drink from 2025-2030. 90 Pts
2023 Marquis dAlesme Saam Long – Vin de France – The striking nose pops with flowers, orange rind, ginger, pineapple, white peach with a touch of Indian, peppery spice. The wine is sweet, fruity, creamy, and complex. There is richness as well as lift. It is a unique profile. Its uniqueness comes from its blend of Petit Manseng, and Albarino. The wine was vinified in stainless steel and aged in used French oak barrels. Drink from 2024-2030. 91 Pts
2023 Mouton Rothschild Aile D’Argent Blanc – Bordeaux – Honeysuckle, white peaches, orange rind, and vanilla aromatics pop in the nose. Vivacious, energetic, and creamy, with the perfect honey accent that adds complexity to all the sweet, ripe, juicy, fresh, yellow citrus and pineapple. You can enjoy this on release. The wine was made from a blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 44% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 0.5% Muscadelle. Drink from 2025-2033. 94 Pts
2023 Pape Clement Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Quite floral in nature, with lemon rind, tangerine, vanilla, honeysuckle, pineapple, and white peach with a dab of honey are a pleasure in your glass. Fresh, vibrant, racy, clean, and pure, with a salty-honeyed note accompanying all of the sweet, ripe, orange, and yellow tropical fruits really works here in the mid-palate, and in the finish. The wine blends 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Semillon, 4% Sauvignon Gris, and 1% Muscadelle. Picking took place August 23 – September 7. Drink from 2025-2035. 95 Pts
2023 Pas de la Colline Blanc de Noir – Vin de France – Winning the award for the most unusual blend in Bordeaux, the wine is bright, crisp, and citrusy, but lacking in character. 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. The wine blends 65% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2026-3031. 85 Pts
2023 Peyredon Lagravette Chardonneret – Bordeaux – Pomelo, flowers, citrus, and white peach notes are in the nose, and on the palate. The wine offers lift, freshness, and loads of crisp, fresh, yellow citrus in the finish. Drink from 2025-2030. 89 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 Reignac Blanc – Bordeaux – Crisp, bright, juicy, and fresh, with a focus on its lemons, grapefruit, honeysuckle, and touch of crushed stones from start to finish. Drink from 2025-2028. 91 Pts
2023 Sainte Marie Blanc Vieilles Vignes – Entre-Deux-Mers – Lemon peels, flowers, and orange nuances for the character here, in this fresh, fruity, forward, easy-drinking white Bordeaux. Drink from 2025-2029. 88 Pts
2023 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Orange cream, flowers, vanilla, pomelo, ginger, green apples, and a splash of pineapple hit the nose. Juicy, creamy, with sweetness, and balancing acidity giving the wine length, lift, and sweet citrus with a splash of spicy white peaches in the mid-palate, which carry through to the finish. The harvest took place August 25 – September 7. The wine blends 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon, and 5% Sauvignon Gris. 14% ABV, 3.2 pH. Drink from 2025-2035. 95 Pts
2023 Smith Haut Lafitte Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Honeysuckle, tangerine, mango, citrus rind, and lemon grass notes dominate the nose. On the palate, the wine is vibrant, fresh, and refreshing with a nice display of citrus, and floral notes in the finish. The wine is a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc, with 20% Semillon, 14% ABV. Drink from 2025-2034. 93 Pts
2023 Smith Haut Lafitte Les Hauts de Smith Blanc – Pessac-Léognan – Flowers, lemon rind, honeysuckle, mango, white peach, vanilla, and sweet pineapples are all over the aromatics. The wine is juicy, fresh, and packed with yellow citrus, along with just a dab of honey in the finish. This is perfect for early-drinking pleasure. The wine is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Drink from 2024-2030. 92 Pts
2023 Suduiraut Lions de Suduiraut Bordeaux Blanc Sec – Bordeaux – Flowers, green apples, white peach, grapefruit, and spice fill the perfume. The wine is fresh, crisp, refreshing and juicy. You can enjoy this as soon as it hits the stores. The wine blends 57% Semillon, 30% Sauvignon Blanc, and 13% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2025-2030. 91 Pts
2023 Suduiraut Pur Semillon Grand Vin Blanc Sec – Bordeaux – Mango, honeysuckle, lemon meringue, white flowers, and saffron aromatics pop in the perfume. Vibrant, fresh, and with a strong sense of minerality that adds to the orange tropical fruits, roasted nuts, and pineapples, this is richness, balanced with vibrancy, and opulence. Not much is produced, as the production is roughly 200 cases per vintage. Drink from 2025-2037. 93 Pts
2023 Suduiraut Vieilles Vignes Grand Vin Blanc Sec – Bordeaux – Honeysuckle, white peach, lemon chiffon, and orange blossoms are all over the nose. Vibrant, juicy, crisp, and loaded with racy, sweet, citrus, and spice, this is ready to go on release and for up to a decade after that. The wine blends 57% Semillon with 43% Sauvignon Blanc. Drink from 2025-2035. 93 Pts
2023 Tronquoy Blanc de Tronquoy – Bordeaux – Flowers, green apples, orange rind, and white peach aromas jump from the glass. The palate is lush, round, and fruity, expressing its tropical nature with ripe, vibrant, pineapple, white peach, mango, and tangerine. The wine is an equal blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2025-2031. 92 Pts
2023 Valandraud Blanc de Valandraud – Bordeaux – I love the purity in the fruits, there is intensity in the green apples, lemons, mangos, white peaches, and pineapples. The fruits are vivid, crisp, clean, and a touch salty, making you want to take another sniff, and sip, just for pleasure. The wine blends 53% Sauvignon Gris, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 7% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2037. 94 Pts
2023 Virginie de Valandraud Blanc – Bordeaux – Flowers, lemons, grapefruit, vanilla, green apples, and orange rind scents pop in the perfume. Bright, fresh, and juicy, with a brisk, yellow citrus, and pineapple, finish, this is going to be great on release for all of its fruit, and freshness. The wine blends 70% Sauvignon Blanc, with 30% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2031. 93 Pts
I am equally enamored with sweet white Bordeaux from Sauternes, and Barsac, which produced a myriad of outstanding wines this year as well. 2023 Sauternes Report and Buying Guide
