2023
A year of extremes and adaptation — 2023 wines reflect a changing climate, with remarkable results where timing and technique aligned.
🗓️ Historic Moments
🌊 El Niño returns – Global weather patterns shift after years of La Niña
🎭 Hollywood goes dark – SAG-AFTRA & WGA strikes halt film & TV
🌍 Record global temperatures – Hottest year ever recorded on Earth
📸 Barbenheimer frenzy – Barbie and Oppenheimer dominate cultural discourse
📉 SVB collapse shocks markets – Major U.S. bank fails, sparking instability
💬 ChatGPT and AI boom – AI tools go mainstream in workplaces worldwide
🇫🇷 France riots over pension reform – Mass protests erupt across major cities
🛰️ India lands on the moon – Chandrayaan-3 successfully touches lunar south pole
🇫🇷 Bordeaux (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 75–88°F (24–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: A wet, stormy spring gave way to one of the warmest summers on record, with scattered storms and hail.
Challenges/Highlights: Mildew pressure was extreme, especially for Merlot; Cabernet Sauvignon thrived in the heat.
Harvest Window: Mid-September to early October, depending on site and variety
Reception & Scores: Mixed early views; top châteaux optimistic about structure and density
Aging Potential: High for Cabernet-driven wines, more moderate for early-picked Merlot
🇫🇷 Burgundy (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 72–86°F (22–30°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: A welcome return to normal yields after several small vintages; warm and mostly dry
Challenges/Highlights: Hail in some Côte de Beaune sites, but overall disease pressure was low
Harvest Window: Early to mid-September, with excellent sugar-acid balance
Reception & Scores: Strong quality and quantity across reds and whites
Aging Potential: Very good, with classic structure and purity
🇫🇷 Rhône Valley (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean to Continental | 78–95°F (26–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot and dry summer after a wet spring; northern zones fared slightly better
Challenges/Highlights: Drought stress in the south, affecting Grenache yields
Harvest Window: Mid-August in the south; early September in the north
Reception & Scores: Northern Rhône Syrah looks outstanding; mixed results in the south
Aging Potential: Northern wines poised for long life; southern wines more variable
🇫🇷 Champagne (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 68–78°F (20–26°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool and damp early season gave way to a dry, warm harvest
Challenges/Highlights: Mildew in spring; some botrytis later, but managed well
Harvest Window: Early September, with high acidity retained
Reception & Scores: Promising freshness; considered a strong vintage
Aging Potential: Excellent for long-lived vintage cuvées
🇮🇹 Piedmont (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 72–86°F (22–30°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Alternating heat and rain created a challenging but rewarding growing season
Challenges/Highlights: Disease pressure early; ideal ripening for Nebbiolo in fall
Harvest Window: Mid to late October for Barolo and Barbaresco
Reception & Scores: Still early, but producers are optimistic about structure and elegance
Aging Potential: High for top Nebbiolo sites
🇮🇹 Tuscany (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 80–95°F (27–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Scorching heatwaves followed a rainy spring; drought stress was widespread
Challenges/Highlights: Vineyards with water access performed best; uneven ripening
Harvest Window: Late September into October for Sangiovese
Reception & Scores: Quality varies widely; top estates crafted excellent wines
Aging Potential: Moderate to high, depending on site and viticulture
🇪🇸 Rioja & Ribera del Duero (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 82–96°F (28–36°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot and dry across both regions; Ribera saw less spring rain
Challenges/Highlights: Water stress and small berries; low yields, high concentration
Harvest Window: Early September (Ribera), mid-late September (Rioja)
Reception & Scores: Structured, powerful wines with aging potential
Aging Potential: Excellent for top reds
🇩🇪 Mosel (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 68–77°F (20–25°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool, rainy early season with warm, dry finish
Challenges/Highlights: High mildew pressure; late ripening rewarded patient growers
Harvest Window: October into early November
Reception & Scores: High-acid, elegant Rieslings with good potential
Aging Potential: Very good for Prädikat-level wines
🇺🇸 Napa Valley (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 80–94°F (27–34°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Very cool start, then late-season heat wave during harvest
Challenges/Highlights: Delayed budbreak and bloom; long hang times delivered depth
Harvest Window: Mid to late October, with some sites into November
Reception & Scores: Early samples show freshness and refinement
Aging Potential: Moderate to high, favoring sites with even ripening
🇺🇸 Sonoma (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool to Warm Mediterranean | 75–89°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Slow, cool spring followed by a warm autumn
Challenges/Highlights: Pinots benefited from long hang times; yields down slightly
Harvest Window: Late September into mid-October
Reception & Scores: Bright, balanced wines with aromatic lift
Aging Potential: Very good, especially for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
🇺🇸 Willamette Valley (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 74–88°F (23–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cold, wet spring delayed flowering; warm summer ensured ripeness
Challenges/Highlights: Lower yields, high quality; some heat spikes in September
Harvest Window: Late September into October
Reception & Scores: Bright acidity, perfumed aromatics, moderate alcohols
Aging Potential: Excellent for classic Pinot expression
🇺🇸 Washington State (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Continental | 78–92°F (26–33°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Exceptionally cool start; warm, dry summer into fall
Challenges/Highlights: Delayed veraison; sugar and phenolic ripeness aligned late
Harvest Window: Mid-October into early November
Reception & Scores: Winemakers are thrilled — freshness, density, and balance
Aging Potential: High, particularly for Red Mountain and Walla Walla wines
🇦🇺 Barossa Valley & Margaret River (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Barossa – Warm Mediterranean | 85–97°F (29–36°C) avg daytime highs
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Margaret River – Moderate Maritime | 75–86°F (24–30°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cooler than average in Barossa; Margaret River saw steady warmth
Challenges/Highlights: Lower yields in Barossa; ideal Chardonnay conditions in the west
Harvest Window: February (Barossa whites) to April (reds)
Reception & Scores: Margaret River whites shine; Barossa reds are elegant and fresh
Aging Potential: Strong for both regions, especially top cuvées
🇿🇦 South Africa (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 77–90°F (25–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool, wet start followed by moderate conditions
Challenges/Highlights: Uneven flowering and some late mildew pressure
Harvest Window: February to March
Reception & Scores: Lower alcohol, high acid; whites especially promising
Aging Potential: Best whites and Syrah will reward cellaring
🇦🇷 Argentina - Mendoza (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: High-Altitude Continental | 78–91°F (26–33°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cold spring delayed budbreak; warm harvest season
Challenges/Highlights: Frost reduced yields in some high-altitude zones
Harvest Window: March to April
Reception & Scores: Elegant, fresh Malbec with good definition
Aging Potential: Moderate to high, depending on vineyard site
🇨🇱 Chile - Maipo Valley & Casablanca (2023)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maipo – Warm Mediterranean | 82–94°F (28–34°C) avg daytime highs
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Casablanca – Cool Coastal | 70–80°F (21–27°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Moderate year with good diurnal shifts
Challenges/Highlights: Some spring frost; otherwise a smooth season
Harvest Window: February (Casablanca whites) to April (Maipo reds)
Reception & Scores: Strong Sauvignon Blanc and structured Cabernet
Aging Potential: High for reds; whites show immediate appeal and tension
