The best wines of 2023 seem to embody both the freshness of a cool vintage and the fruit ripeness of a warmer one - its high levels both of sunshine hours and rainfall make it unlike many vintages in the recent past. The result is an exquisite synthesis of tension and charm.
The 2023 vintage will go down in history as one of the fastest harvests on record. The winter was a wet one and allowed soils to recharge. Warm and dry weather in May and June promoted growth in the vines and in the Mosel, for example, flowering began around 8 June - slightly later than in 2022, but still well ahead of the long-term average. June and July were also warm and dry, with created stress particularly for younger vines. However, by the end of July, the weather turned, and heavy rains fell, refreshing the vines and encouraging a quick and rather simultaneous ripening in the grapes.
In summary, the wines are supple and juicy, the acidity is present but never jagged, the stony minerality is prominent but always silky, and they have a very appealing flowing quality. It is a superb year for those who rose to the challenge of the vintage!
For the 2022 red wines, this is a vintage not to miss – it will go down as one of the best vintages of reds in recent years with the grapes thriving in the warm September sunshine.
2022 was a warm vintage. The year started with a warm spring, with no late frost damage and fast-paced vine development in the springtime months. Warm days in May accelerated growth even further, leading to thick canopies and rapid flowering. With ongoing warm and dry conditions, growers were waiting patiently for rain which duly came in September, refreshing the grapes. However, in some regions such as the Ahr Valley, sporadic and well-timed rain came in throughout July and August which meant for excellent quality from this region. For reds, the result is ripe, well-structured wines with real purity and freshness.