The 2023 vintage is marked by its generosity both in terms of quantity and quality, with consistent yields across all regions from Chablis to Maconnais.
Overall, 2023 was the hottest year on record, though without extreme spikes, and produced exceptional yields, a stark contrast to 2024, where yields will be down by up to 80%…
The 2023 growing season had its challenges with an erratic spring and summer storms, but the weather eventually stabilised, allowing for a successful harvest. The September heatwave in many cases led to a softer style of wine but also mitigated against any sense of dilution.
The white wines are superb; rich, opulent, aromatic, and fruit-driven with notes of pear, peach, and white apricot. 2023 is a seriously high-quality vintage for Chardonnay, with many vignerons proclaiming it as “one of the vintages of the decade.”.
The red wines are dark, aromatic, rich in texture and vibrant. These are brambly wines, with notes of blackberry, redcurrant, and spice. Likened to the charming 2017 vintage with more structure.
In short, the 2023s will offer pleasure and gratification for lovers of classic Burgundy and will drink much sooner than the likes of the 2022, 2020, & 2019 vintages.
Our Producers
Henri Boillot – One of the finest winemakers in all of Burgundy
Henri has produced a number of spectacular wines in 2023, with both whites and reds majestic. These wines possess an extraordinary combination of weight, power, and richness, all of which is counterbalanced by a vigorous vibrancy.
Henri Boillot’s 2023 wines have been praised by all who have tasted them, with Jasper Morris MW ranking several of his wines as the finest of their respective appellations.
Domaine Henri Boillot is a producer based in Meursault, renowned for their wine produced on the Cote de Beaune. They work to incredibly high standards, in order to create complex, precise wines. They are devoted to their terroir and try to weave the distinctive character of the land into each and every wine.
The estate was named Domaine Jean Boillot until 2005, but was changed when Henri Boillot bought out his siblings in order to distinguish it from his brother’s new Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot. Henri had previously set up Maison Henri Boillot for negociant wines and retains these labels to distinguish them from estate wines.
A majority of Boillot’s white wines are sourced from Premier Crus in Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, including the entire 4 hectare, Clos de la Mouchere vineyard. The Domaine’s Pinot Noir wines come from Premier Crus in Savigny, Beaune and Volnay. In the vineyard, Boillot avoids the use of insecticides and herbicides. Heavy pruning takes place in spring to limit yields, and fruit is harvested as late as possible to ensure maximum phenolic maturity.
The Henri Boillot winery is situated in Meursault. The white wines are fermented in 350-litre barrels and bottled after 18 months of barrel ageing. The Pinot Noir is fermented in stainless steel tanks with some stems retained, it then sees 18 months of barrel ageing.
The Premier and Grand Cru wines under the Maison Henri Boillot label are sourced from single-vineyard plots with single owners to preserve the authenticity of the site.
Domaine Stephane Magnien – The Cote de Nuits Rising Star
Domaine Stéphane Magnien is a tiny Domaine of just 4.5 hectares. Given its small stature, they tend to fly under the radar, but the quality of wines being produced here means it certainly won’t stay that way.
Based in Morey-St-Denis, the Domaine spans an impressive 12 appellations and includes two top grands crus – Clos Saint-Denis and Charmes-Chambertin.
Stephane is the fourth generation to run the Domaine, he’s been at the helm since 2008 and the quality of the wines he is making continues to soar. His minimal use of oak and light extraction gives rise to wines which are expressive, complex and show real finesse. A real star of the region.
Domaine Bruno Colin – Wines of Tension and Minerality
Derived from the esteemed vineyards of the Côte de Beaune, inherited from generations past, Bruno Colin’s wines evoke shared moments, pleasure, sentiment, and passion.
Bruno created his first vintage in 2004, and since then he’s rapidly developed a reputation for beautifully crafted wines that express the characteristics of the individual terroirs.
With 20 appellations, encompassing 8 Premiers Crus whites in Chassagne-Montrachet, Bruno endeavours to capture the distinct essence of each terroir, despite their proximity and inherent diversity.
The Domain implements organic farming methods to safeguard the vineyards and regulate yields as part of its commitment to quality. Vineyard practices such as pruning, lifting, and stripping are adjusted according to the seasons and climatic variations, all of which are crucial factors in shaping the wine’s character.
Whilst many domaines in the Côte d’Or have had a very large harvest in 2023, this is not the case at Domaine Bruno Colin. Bruno explains that the reason for this is that his vineyard holdings have a considerable number of old vines, which never produce excessive yields due to their age. As a result, he has ended up with a volume at the same level as the 2022 vintage, and wines with high levels of concentration and complexity. His policy of 12 months cask aging followed by 6 months in tank allows his whites to develop wonderful aromatics, with a deliciously ripe flavour profile in 2023.
Capitain Gagnerot – Harmony of Nature and Varietals
The Domaine was established in 1802 under the name Domaine Gagnerot, which then became Capitain Gagnerot in 1864 upon the marriage of Jean Baptiste’s daughter, to Francois Capitain. Today, the Domaine consists of 16 hectares, under full family ownership.
Their highly regarded vineyard of Ladoix is located at the junction of the Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits, the only hillside in Burgundy to produce both red and white Grand Crus. It consists of two soil types: marl limestone for great white wines, and clay limestone soil ideal for reds of real finesse.
They firmly believe in working in harmony with nature and its ecosystems, favouring biodynamic and natural practices to ensure a healthy harvest. They implement a rigorous selection of plants, and thorough pruning to ensure control over quality and yields. They completely hand harvest and sort, then destem before vinification.
Their wines are exclusively matured in oak barrels for 10-18 months, then bottled after malolactic fermentation and light filtration. To protect the character of the wine, they use a maximum of 10% new wood. The results are wines which are genuinely fresh, and express the rich terroir and elegance of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
“Pierre-François Capitain is one of the unsung heroes of the Côte de Beaune. He has been turning out beautiful biodynamic wines for some time now, but his village, Ladoix, and his appellations are not the most fashionable in the region. In 2023 the domaine made full yields for the first time ever. They started picking on 9th September, with white firsts as they were riper and indeed some got close to 14%. He chose to use very little whole bunch vinification in the 2023 reds.” – Jasper Morris
We are pleased to offer a range of lucrative wines from the 2023 vintage, from a range of producers, including those who we work closely with.
You can view our En Primeur range here, or contact sales@nickollsandperks.co.uk for advice.