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2023 Chateauneuf du Pape: The vintage, harvest, and growing season.
The most important aspect when assessing a vintage is the wines, so allow me to jump the gun a bit and tell you that I really like this vintage. The wines are fresh, creamy, elegant, and full of character, and as you should expect, they come in a diverse range of styles and characteristics. You will find more red berries than dark ones due to a higher percentage of Grenache in many blends. The wines are aromatic, and most display good color. And best of all, 2023 Châteauneuf wines will deliver pleasure early, with several wines offering fabulous tasting experiences upon release.
So, how did 2023 Southern Rhône turn out so well? Let’s backtrack a bit and review the weather patterns.
2023 Châteauneuf du Pape Growing Season and Harvest.
The 2023 Châteauneuf du Pape vintage started off well, thanks to a mild, semi-dry winter with a range of temperatures from as cold as -2°C to as warm as 20.5°C. Spring brought moderate temperatures along with fierce Mistral winds. By mid-May, flowering was in full bloom.
June was warm, and July was even hotter with more hours of sun. The middle of July marked the beginning of veraison. The hot temperatures peaked on August 22, with temperatures soaring over 100°F! Fortunately, some much-needed rain fell the following week, arriving at the perfect time to nourish the vines, and with the Mistral winds, everything cooled down.
2023 Château du Pape white wine grapes began harvesting as early as the third week of August for some producers, while others waited at least another week. Although daytime temperatures were quite warm, the ability to retain freshness was aided by the cooling effects of the Mistral, which brought cooler nighttime temperatures.
Red wine grape harvesting took place over an extended period—from early September to late October—allowing producers to wait until phenolic maturity was reached. Yields were about average for many estates, with higher-than-expected levels of 32 to 35 hectoliters per hectare.
It is important to note that a significant part of the vintage’s success can be attributed to conscientious producers willing to reduce yields through vigilant sorting. Grenache, followed by Mourvèdre, proved the most successful grape varieties, with Syrah struggling somewhat to cope with the hot summer months. On to the best part of this report, and Rhone Valley wine buying guide, the wines!
All of the following 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape Wines were tasted in Chateauneuf in late 2025. I want to thank all the producers that sent samples for me to taste. And it needs to noted that none of this could have been possible without the help of the Federation of Chateauneuf du Pape. We will publish Pt.2 of our 2023 Chateauneuf reports covering wines D-L shortly. With luck, tomorrow!
2023 Albin Jacumin La Begude Des Papes – Black cherries, licorice, smoke, and olives form the perfume. On the palate, the wine is round, smoky, lush, and deep, with olives, cherries, and plums in the finish. The wine was made from blending mostly Grenache, with Mourvedre and Cinsault. Drink from 2026-2036. 92 Pts
2023 Andre Brunel Cuvée Réservée – Quite floral in its nature, the wine is fresh, soft, and silky, as well as easy to like, and drink up all of its sweet, red fruits on release. Drink from 2026-2031. 89 Pts
2023 Andre Mathieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vin di Felibre – Initially, you notice the wood, with its incense and espresso notes, before finding the red fruits. On the palate the wine is round, fruity, and oaky, so you should give it some time to age before pulling a cork. The wine was made by blending 80% Mourvedre, 10% Grenache, 5% Syrah, and 5% comes from various allowed grape varieties. Drink from 2026-2036. 90 Pts
2023 Beaucastel – Peppery, meaty, spicy, kirsch, and floral aromatics pop with little effort. The wine is peppery, elegant, lifted, round, long, and clean. The red fruits are sweet, fresh and complex. The wine is already approachable, yet there is the ability to age for up to 2 decades. Drink from 2027-2042. 96 Pts
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2023 Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin – Deep and dark in color, the wine is powerful, concentrated, long, and intense. Full-bodied, spicy, and bold. This is an interesting vintage for Hommage because, while it is not fully mature, there is a sense of ease in its character that allows it to be approachable earlier than previous vintages. Juicy, sweet, with lift and energy, the peppery, meaty kirsch lingers for at least 50 seconds or longer. The wine is composed of 60% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Counoise. Drink from 2030 to 2055. 99 Pts
2023 Beauchene Grande Réserve – Leafy herbs, flowers, and cherries top the perfume. Medium-bodied, fresh, easy to like and drink, the wine leaves you with refined, sweet kirsch notes from start to finish. Drink from 2026-2033. 89 Pts
2023 Beauchene Hommage à Odette Bernard – Kirsch, iron, olives, and strawberries fill the perfume. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, soft, silky, and refined, with lift, sweetness, and elegant notes of kirsch to wrap everything up nicely. You can enjoy this beauty on the young side, or age it for more secondary notes. The wine blends 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre. Drink from 2026-2037. 92 Pts
2023 Beauchene Vignobles de la Serriere – Olives, black cherries, and peppery raspberries crowd into the nose. The medium-bodied palate is fresh, forward, and fruity, with a cherry and black raspberry note in the finish. The wine blends 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre. Drink from 2026-2033. 90 Pts
2023 Beaurenard (Paul Coulon et Fils) Chateauneuf-du-Pape – Forward, medium-bodied, soft, and fruity, the wine delivers its profile of raspberries, flowers, and kirsch with a spicy edge easily. You can enjoy this with pleasure upon release. The wine blends roughly 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and Cinsault with various percentages of most, if not all of the AOC allowable grapes. Drink from 2026-2036. 92 Pts
2023 Beaurenard Boisrenard – Displaying a dark hue, the wine pops in the nose with an array of spices, chocolate, licorice, and kirsch. The palate continues that theme with a supple, round, fruity mid-palate and finish. The wine was made from an old-vine Grenache-dominated blend from vines ranging in age from 70 to more than 100 years, with old-vine Mourvedre, Syrah, and all other allowable grape varieties in the appellation. Drink from 2026-2038. 93 Pts
2023 Benedetti Chateauneuf-du-Pape – Quite flowery in the nose, the wine quickly moves forward to charming, but straight forward, fruity palate. Easy to like, and drink, you can pop a cork on release. Drink from 2026-2032. 90 Pts
2023 Benedetti Les Larmes Papales – Medium-bodied, soft, sweet, fresh, vibrant, fruity, forward, cherry, and kirsch filled wine, with a garrigue and olive to the its finish. This will be ready to go on release. The wine is produced from 100% old vine Grenache from vines planted on La Crau. This is one of the more unique wines from Chateauneuf as a portion of their grapes are dried on straw mats. Drink from 2026-2033. 91 Pts
2023 Berthet-Capeau Elixir des Papes – Cherries, orange, and flowers pop in the nose. On the palate, the wine is bright, fresh, medium-bodied, elegant, and fruity, The fruit, while not deep, is refined and pure, giving you the essence of its core of kirsch, cocoa and strawberries. This will be easy to enjoy on release. The wine was produced using 100% Grenache. Drink from 2026-2033. 91 Pts
2023 Berthet-Rayne Cuvee Cadiac – Peppery red raspberries and kirsch work in the flowery nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, soft, sweet, and fresh, with touch of salt that comes along with the essence of red fruits and spice. The wine is produced from a blend a Grenache dominated blend along with all the other allowable grape varieties from the appellation. Drink from 2027-2038. 93 Pts
2023 Berthet-Rayne Tradition – Flowers, and cherries greet your nose. The medium-bodied, fresh palate is soft, fresh and filled with cherries and just a dash of cocoa in the endnote. You can enjoy this on release with pleasure. Drink from 2026-2034. 91 Pts
2023 Berthet-Rayne Vieille en Fut de Chene – Layers of plush, creamy, vibrant, herb-tinted fruits pack the palate, finishing with vibrant, strawberries, kirsch, olives and spice. Drink from 2026-2038. 91 Pts
2023 Bois de Boursan Chateauneuf-du-Pape – Medium-bodied, supple, fresh, and creamy, the wine is focused on its core of creamy, savory, earthy, cherries, and kirsch, with a bit of strawberry to top things off at the back end of the finish. The wine blends roughly 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 3% Cinsault and 2% Counoise. Drink from 2026-2036. 92 Pts
2023 Bosquet des Papes A La Gloire de Mon Grand-Père – Very floral in nature, you also find kirsch and strawberries in the perfume. The palate follows the same trajectory with its core of silky, sensuously-textured cherries, chocolate, and kirsch notes. This is going to deliver pleasure on release, as well as age for more complexity. The wine is mostly old vine Grenache with just 1% Cinsault, and 1% Counoise. Drink from 2026-2039. 94 Pts
2023 Bosquet des Papes Chante Le Merle Vieilles Vignes – It takes only a single swirl to find the floral profile in the perfume. The palate, I unhesitatingly say, is even better with its sexy display of creamy red fruits that start strong and keep on going, building in intensity from top to bottom, and side to side. The finish holds on to your sense for at least 45-50 seconds, showing off its display of purity in its fruits effortlessly. The wine was made using mostly old vine Grenache that is more than 80 years of age, along with Syrah and Mourvedre. Drink from 2026-2045. 97 Pts
2023 Bosquet des Papes Les 7 de Pignan – The wine is a bit reticent in the perfume at the moment, so it took some coaxing to bring out the red raspberries, kirsch, and plums. As good as the perfume was, the palate was even better, with a supple, sensuous, silky, and sexy profile in the fruits and the texture. This is a brilliant example of what Bosquet des Papes can do! This is completely effortless to drink. The wine takes its name from the fact that it comes from a selection of 7 different parcels of vines from the Pignan lieu-dit. The wine is produced from 100% old vine Grenache from some of the estate’s oldest vines. Drink from 2026-2042. 96 Pts
2023 Bosquet des Papes Tradition – Flowers, dark cherries, garrigue, and spices are working together in the perfume. The medium-bodied palate is sweet round, and refined, with a gorgeous kirsch finish. Drink from 2026-2035. 92 Pts
2023 Boutiniere Chateauneuf-du-Pape – The earth, leafy herb, and strawberry nose is easy to find,. Medium-bodied, soft and creamy, the wine finishes with olive-tinged, kirsch, and strawberries. This is ready-to-go on release. Drink from 2026-2033. 91 Pts
2023 Boutiniere Grande Reserve – Flowers, cherries, kirsch, and leafy herbs dominate the nose. The palate is sweet, juicy, and fruity, with a wealth of creamy-textured kirsch, mint, and spices that linger. This will be quite nice for at least a decade or longer, plus you should be able to enjoy this on release, as well. Drink from 2026-2039. 94 Pts
2023 Brun Avril – Strawberries, cherries, and kirsch shop easily in this light colored, red berry, and pit fruit filled wine, with a hint of cocoa that shows up in the finish. This is a wine that relies more on its sense of purity and elegance, than concentration. The wine is produced from blending Grenache and Mouverdre with Syrah. Drink from 2026-2034. 91 Pts
2023 Chante Cigale – Sweet, fresh, elegant, and refined, there is a lot to like here with its wealth of strawberries, chocolate, and cherries. There is vibrancy, freshness and creamy textures that leave a nice impression from start to finish. You can enjoy this with pleasure on release, and for at least a decade after that. The wine was made from a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault. Drink from 2026-2036. 93 Pts
2023 Chante Cigale La Serine – Deeply colored, the wine opens with earthy peppery herbs, licorice, spice, and dark red fruits. The palate is dark, deep and peppery, with assorted herbs, and dark red fruits on the mid-palate, and in the finish. This is one of the better examples of Syrah planted in the Southern Rhone. Produced from 100% Syrah, aged in used oak barrels. Drink from 2027-2038. 94 Pts
2023 Chante Cigale Pi – Luscious, silky, elegant, and sensuous, the wine exudes charm and freshness in its vivid display of sweet, red fruits, cocoa, fresh herbs, and pure kirsch. Produced from 100% old vine Grenache planted in Pignan, this will drink just great young, or you can age it for more complexity. Drink from 2026-2038. 95 Pts
2023 Chante Perdrix – Incense, and espresso are what you initially notice before moving on to its ripe, red fruits. The palate is also woody before getting to the wines wealth of round, supple-textured, ripe, red fruits. While you can open this on release, give it a year or two for the wood to better integrate, allowing more of its sweet, ripe fruits to come forward. The wine blends 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and 5% Muscardin. Drink from 2026-2035. 92 Pts
2023 Chapelle St. Theodoric La Guigasse – Sweet, and juicy, the medium-bodied wine is fresh, clean, elegant, and pure, finishing with cherries, kirsch and strawberries. The wine is produced from 100% old vine Grenache. Drink from 2026-2038. 93 Pts
2023 Chapelle St. Theodoric Le Grand Pin – Quite floral in nature, the wine is vibrant, fresh, and sweet. There is energy, elegance, and freshness in the fruit in the nose and on the palate. The wine is produced from 100% old vine Grenache. Drink from 2027-2040. 95 Pts
2023 Chapelle St. Theodoric Les Sabons – Produced from 100% old vine Grenache, the grapes are planted on sandy soils and aged in used oak barrels. Medium-bodied, elegant, light, and fresh, there is sweetness to the fruits, lift, and energy. The wine is focused on its purity. Drink from 2026-2037. 93 Pts
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2023 Chapoutier Barbe Rac – Layers of soft, supple, cherries, peppery kirsch, herbs, and spices. The wine is balanced between its soft, ripe, round, lush fruits and its structured side, giving it, its ability to age, and develop. There is a lot to like to here. The wine is produced from 100% old, vine Grenache. Drink from 2027-2042. 95 Pts
2023 Chapoutier Pie VI – Spice, flowers, crushed rocks, and stones, pepper, and thyme. On the palate the wine shines with layers f chalky, black fruits, herbs, and oceanic influences A bit dry at the moment, lets see where it goes with some aging. The wine blends 50% Grenache with 50% Syrah. Drink from 2027-2038. 93 Pts
2023 Chapoutier Serus – Southern Rhone produced from 100% Syrah seems to have gained in popularity this year. Serus is the new Cuvee from Chapoutier that is produced from 100% Sryah. Deep in color, the wine is dark, spicy, chewy, long, meaty, peppery and spicy. It seems to be more of a masculine styled wine with a chewy character. It will be interesting to see how this develops over the next decade. Drink from 2030-2042. 90 Pts
2023 Charbonniere Chateauneuf-du-Pape – Initially, you find savory, leafy herbs, and red fruits, with a focus on cherries and strawberries that pop in the nose. The palate is round, fruity, and supple, with lift, and elegance. You can enjoy this on release and for close to a decade after that. Drink from 2026-2033. 92 Pts
2023 Charvin – Kirsch, flowers, and strawberry, with just a hint of cocoa fill the aromatic profile. Medium-bodied, vibrant, elegant, supple, and fresh, the wine delivers a creamy-textured quality on the palate that carries through to the long, spicy, kirsch packed finish. The wine was made blending roughly 82% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 4% Counoise, and 4% Vaccarese. Drink from 2026-2040. 94 Pts
2023 Château Sixtine Cuvee du Vatican – Forward, round, sweet, ripe, and fruit, with loads of tasty kirsch, and a touch of pepper. You can enjoy this with pleasure on release. Drink from 2026-2036. 93 Pts
2023 Clos Bellane Urgonien – Flowers, licorice, and red fruits blend together in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, elegant, fresh, and charming, leaving you with a gentle layer of ripe kirsch. Clos Bellane Urgonien takes its name from the type of limestone in the soil, Urgonien. The vineyard is a tiny 1.14 hectare of vines blending 77% old vine Grenache with 23% Mourvedre. Drink from 2026-2035. 90 Pts
2023 Clos Saint Michel Chateauneuf-du-Pape – Black raspberries, black cherries, plums, and flowers pop in the aromas. The palate is polished, round, and fruity, with a top note of orange citrus before moving on to its core of red berries and kirsch. The wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, and 30% Syrah. Drink from 2027-2037. 92 Pts
2023 Clos Saint Michel Reservee – Red fruits, flowers, herbs, and peppery spices create the perfume. On the palate the wine is vibrant, juicy, and bright with white pepper, zesty kirsch, and crisp raspberries. This is already easy to enjoy for all of its raspberries, orange rind and its peppery edge. The wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, and 30% Syrah. Drink from 2027-2037. 92 Pts
2023 Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes Cuvee Les Choregies – Incense, licorice, flowers, and red fruits define the core of this medium-bodied, creamy, fruity, cherry-filled charmer, with a nice touch of olives and kirsch in the finish. Drink from 2026-2036. 94 Pts
2023 Clos des Papes – The striking bouquet of flowers, mint leaf, kirsch, cherries, and citrus stands out in a crowd. But it is the power, precision, and purity on the palate that let you know this is an exceptional wine. Intense yet relaxed, showy and discreet, this is a solid example of what Chateauneuf does best. This is a remarkable wine that needs to be tasted to understand what makes Chateauneuf great! This is a strong contender for wine of the vintage. Drink from 2027-2045. 99 Pts
2023 Clos du Mont Olivet – Flowers and red fruits start off the perfume. The palate is even better with its wave of sweet, opulent, supple-textured kirsch. This will be easy to enjoy on release. Drink from 2026-2038. 93 Pts
2023 Clos du Mont Olivet La Cuvee du Papet – Black cherries, flowers, and pepper create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is seductive, silky, and lush, with a long finish packed with chocolate-tinted, dark cherries kirsch, and spice. You can enjoy this young, but it is going to age well. Drink from 2027-2040. 95 Pts
2023 Comte de Lauze – Black raspberries, cherries, pepper and olives are found here on the nose, and on the medium-bodied, spicy, ready to go palate. The wine was made from blending 80% Grenache with 20% Syrah. Drink from 2026-2033. 90 Pts
2023 Cote de lAnge Chateauneuf-du-Pape – Black raspberries, and cherries pop in the nose. The palate delivers its luscious dark cherry character, and charm with ease. You can enjoy wine on release. Drink from 2026-2037. 92 Pts
2023 Cristia Chateauneuf du Pape – Dark red berries, dashes of cocoa, pepper, cherries, black raspberries, and strawberries pack the nose, and full palate from start to finish. The wine was made by blending 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah. Drink from 2026-2036. 93 Pts
2023 Cristia Renaissance – Black cherries are all over the place on the palate and in the aromatic profile. Rich deep, long, and creamy textured, the wine finishes with licorice, cherries, herbs, and strawberry jam notes on the backend. This is a good example of a modern styled Southern Rhone that works. The wine is made from 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre. Drink from 2027-2039. 94 Pts
2023 Cristia Vieilles Vignes – Lusciously-textured layers of creamy, ripe, round, juicy, sweet red fruits topped with licorice, spice, cocoa, and kirsch are already delicious to taste. The wine was made using 100% old-vine Grenache. Drink from 2027-2040. 96 Pts
2023 Croze-Granier – Nosing this wine is like walking into a flower store. Medium-bodied, elegant, refined, sweet, and pure, the kirsch stands out on the luscious palate. This will be approachable on release. Drink 2026-2036. 92 Pts
Stay with us because we will publish Pt.2 of our 2023 Chateauneuf reports covering wines D-L promptly. With luck, tomorrow!
