2023 was challenging for Merlot, especially, but James finds the bright spots at this year's en primeur tastings. Above, another harvest awaits at Château Canon la Gaffelière. See also Bordeaux 2023 – left-bank reds and whites.
As a Merlot-dominated area that saw generally high precipitation in April, May and June coupled with warm day and night temperatures, the right bank suffered significantly from downy mildew in 2023. The damage was not uniform but there was devastation in certain vineyards as there was across the Dordogne in the Entre-Deux-Mers. Larger bunches and berries also necessitated strict yield control.
That said...