Not all the appellations were equal in terms of weather conditions!

The start of vegetation was even across the vineyards, with bud-break dates back to normal compared to last year. Foliage development was relatively rapid in all the vineyards. The vintage was already looking very promising.

However, from 25 May onwards, heavy and continuous rainfall occurred until 15 June in the Entre-deux-Mers region. The duration of this rainfall had major consequences in epidemiological terms,  mildew finding ideal conditions for its proliferation.

The Château Bonnet vineyard was severely affected by attacks from this fungus, rarely seen to such an extent in our region. Red grape varieties were hit the hardest (60% loss of Merlot, in particular). White grape varieties did much better overall. The plant health campaign was particularly complicated and required a great deal of human involvement.

In the vineyards of our other appellations, mildew was virtually a non-issue, thanks to better-distributed rainfall.

Château de Barbe Blanche (currently converting to organic farming), the vineyards were managed well, with organic treatments well under control. By the end of August, a very good harvest was in view. However a severe drought (only 5 mm of rainfall between 1 August and 30 September) compromised part of the harvest, resulting in low yields of around 28 hl/ha.

As for the Pessac-Léognan appellation, it arrived at harvest time without any problems, with grapes of excellent quality and very good volume.Although the quantity varies greatly from one appellation to another, the high quality of this 2023 vintage is a reality everywhere.

The aromatic magic of 2023 whites

Unlike in previous years, the summer of 2023 was not a hot one. July and August were marked by relatively cool nights and warm but not excessive days. This situation enabled us to obtain remarkable aromatic potential, particularly in the whites. Our Sauvignon Blancs from Pessac-Léognan offer us this very intense aromatic magic. The lack of hot weather helped to promote freshness, another characteristic of this vintage.

• Château Bonnet: All the vats taste very well and are very consistent in terms of quality. The aromas are very seductive, already very intense on the nose. The aromatic potential is present and the blends promise to be particularly interesting.
• Château de Cruzeau: A calm year for this estate, with good quality, attractive aromatic profiles and large volumes (or at least back to normal).
• Château Couhins-Lurton: The berries were picked with the precision of a goldsmith, allowing us to capture all the aromatic richness of the grapes produced on this exceptional terroir.

Intense fruit and colour for the 2023 reds

For the reds, the cool nights and warm days had the same effect on the aromas, but also had a favourable impact on the synthesis of anthocyanins, which are present in large quantities and easily extracted… This resulted in juices with very deep colours. A relatively limited temperature range provided the vines with good conditions for the synthesis of all the phenolic compounds: in addition to these intense, deep colours, they have a very fine structure and a very fruity, expressive nose.

The very fine weather in September was very kind to the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, which were able to reach perfect ripeness.

• Château Bonnet: The pleasant surprise here comes from the Cabernet Sauvignons, which despite their appearance (very small berries, similar to blueberries) produce very colourful, fairly structured wines with plenty of fruit. They taste very well. They should make fine red Entre-deux-Mers (2023 being the very first vintage of this AOC).
• Château de Barbe Blanche:  Small quantities, but high quality potential.
• Château de Cruzeau: First harvest of Petit Verdot. This should be included in the Château de Cruzeau blend.
• Château de Rochemorin: The Merlots harvested are very homogeneous. The Cabernet Sauvignon has reached perfect ripeness and has a very fine structure. The Cabernet Francs are just delicious.
• Château La Louvière: Here, the rainfall at the end of the season was particularly beneficial to the Cabernets. They are very dark, with lots of fruit and no vegetal overtones. The tannic structure is there, without being rustic. Great Cabernets!
• Château Couhins-Lurton: The Merlots at Couhins-Lurton have very low Ph levels, with acidity and freshness that are well-balanced with the alcohol content. Modifications to the trellising and more intensive tillage are all positive elements that are now found in the Cabernet Sauvignons.

After a quiet number of years in the UK, the André Lurton Family are re-focusing on this key market, with the support of new agency partner North South Wines.

This is a partnership based on shared values, with a long-term commitment to bringing high quality wines to UK, and developing and growing the André Lurton name.

Since Jacques Lurton and his niece Mathilde de Caix-Lurton took over the company, they are determined to deliver the highest quality wines at great prices to consumers. Jacques Lurton, Chairman and Head winemaker of the six family estates, oversees all the technical aspects with his innovative vision alongside Mathilde de Caix-Lurton, General Manager, who is structuring the general strategy and commercial direction of the company.

Both companies are run by determined women who are passionate about wine and their shared values put social and environmental sustainability at the centre of every decision.

This partnership comes at great time as Chateau Bonnet has undergone important changes in the past three years and has become a leading sustainable Bordeaux estate, with new viticultural techniques, bio-control (planted on 20 hectares) biodiversity projects, bee hives, sheep and fruit and vegetable gardens.

Chateau Bonnet’s labels are now ecologically designed, using recycled paper and ink, lighter bottles and cardboard boxes have replaced the wooden cases.

It also comes as North South Wines announce their B-Corp status, the first UK wine distributor to be certified. North South Wines’ Claire Greenwood said “We are so excited to start working with Family Andre Lurton. This partnership represents the first move into Bordeaux for North South Wines, and we feel we have found the perfect winery to work with – we have a joint focus on quality and sustainability, and the same high energy levels needed to find success in the UK market.”

As from June 2023, North South Wines will be importing several of the family estates:

Château Bonnet from the Entre-deux-Mers region, Château de Cruzeau from Pessac-Léognan, Château de Barbe Blanche from Lussac-Saint-Émilion exclusively. Château de Rochemorin from Pessac-Léognan and Château Couhins-Lurton from Pessac-Léognan will also be imported on a non-exclusive basis. All wines be sold in the Independent, Wholesale and On Trade Channels.

ABOUT NORTH SOUTH WINES

Set up in 2014 with a view to ‘do things differently’, North South Wines has become more than just your average wine distributor. Led by Managing Director Kim Wilson, its tenacious team is determined to champion better business through greater accountability, improve wine distribution through responsible business practices and to drive change for good.

Keen to be green, North South Wines source wine from family owned, organic, ethical, and sustainable wineries, wherever possible. 70% of the North South Wines’ range is vegan friendly and this is growing. In April 2023, North South Wines were certified B Corp.

As a company that’s part owned by three wineries it is also set up to directly supply better quality and better value products. Today, North South Wines Ltd. represents more than 27 wineries and achieved a turnover of nearly £30 million. In 2022 the business achieved BRCGS Agent and Broker AA for the second year running.