Bordeaux 2006: Which wines have aged well?
Read Jane Anson's review of the Bordeaux 2006 vintage after re-tasting the wines a decade out from the harvest.
Bordeaux 2006 was an interesting year to assess at the critical 10-year juncture, not least because 2006 has developed a mixed reputation.
Go straight to the Bordeaux 2006 tasting notes above 90 points
First, a reminder of what the winemakers had to work with.
The weather during the 2006 growing season blew hot and cold, with strong heat in July and September, either side of a cool August and stormy mid-September, which saw botrytis spores blooming in select spots around the region. Inevitably this meant a race towards harvest in the unlucky areas.
Also just published: How Bordeaux 2008 wines taste now
September was pretty much cut right in half, with a great start that was good for the white grape harvest, and then a stormy second half that complicated things for the reds.
Pessac-Léognan was hardest hit by the late rains and risk of dilution meant many estates picked earlier than they might have wanted to, particularly those that are Merlot-dominant.
Nice weather again at the end of September meant most Cabernets could wait, though rot started threatening due to light daily showers, meaning the latest ripening Cabernets didn’t really reach their potential.
Overall, Merlot on clay and Cabernet on the best gravels resisted well, and this was yet another year where money talked. Yields overall were usually lower than in 2005 (with a few notable exceptions such as Ormes de Pez), as winemakers had to be very selective with the grapes they used.
The best wines are concentrated, with balanced acidity and complex aromatics, but many had hard tannins and were unlovely at first showings during en primeur in 2007, and again in the first five years of opening.
At the 10-year mark, the best reds are still deeply coloured, with fresh yet complex fruit expression and high aromatics. 2006 is certainly a vintage to age, with all the old-school meaning of that term – in other words, not approachable young!
For all Bordeaux 2006 tasting notes above 90 points click here
Jane’s Exceptional and Outstanding wines
Wines were tasted in 2016.
See also
The three Léovilles of Bordeaux: Full profiles and ratings
California Cabernet 2014 panel tasting results
This article was originally published in Decanter magazine.
Château Le Pin, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2006
Layer upon layer of complexity, texture and tannin continue to delight and surprise the palate. There’s silk and satin, subtle roasted coffee beans, sweet berry...
2006
Château Le PinPomerol
Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, Bordeaux, France, 2006
Aromas of red plums and pomegranate on the initial attack display a lighter, fresher style than is often the case at La Mission Haut-Brion. ...
2006
Château La Mission Haut-BrionPessac-Léognan
Château Latour, Pauillac, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2006
The 2006 Latour stood out even amidst a surprisingly good field of wines from 2006 with pronounced aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, smoke, and a hint...
2006
Château LatourPauillac
Château Ausone, St-Émilion, 1er Grand Cru Classé A, Bordeaux, France, 2006
Tannins are still firmly in control and the 55% Cabernet Franc is lean and fresh, but with a silky sense of possibility and a smoky...
2006
Château AusoneSt-Émilion
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac, 5ème Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2006
Among the most seductive noses from Pauillac. Strong, cassis-stained palate with a lovely sense of upwards motion and smooth, silky tannins that are starting to...
2006
Château Grand-Puy-LacostePauillac
Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2006
The 2006 Haut-Brion shows riper black fruit aromas today than it did on my last encounter. Here they are complemented by hints of...
2006
Château Haut-BrionPessac-Léognan
Château Léoville Las Cases, St-Julien, 2ème Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2006
Since 1959 the estate has kept 50% of production back for a second release when the wine is ready to drink, and this vintage has...
2006
Château Léoville Las CasesSt-Julien
Petrus, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2006
Terrific texture, weight and heft on both the nose and the attack. A flush of powerful tannic grip is balanced by stunning acidity and bright...
2006
PetrusPomerol
Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2006
The 2006 Lafite was among the favourites at our recent retrospective of the vintage. Surprisingly approachable, I found it incredibly aromatic on the initial...
2006
Château Lafite RothschildPauillac
Château L'Eglise-Clinet, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2006
Not quite up to the soaring standards of 2005, but still there is confidence, poise and stunning depth. Sit back and feel your palate slicing...
2006
Château L'Eglise-ClinetPomerol
Château Margaux, Margaux, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2006
Once inky dark and tannic, the 2006 Margaux impressed me now as the picture of elegance, with enticing aromas of ripe blackcurrant and mulberry, hints...
2006
Château MargauxMargaux
Château Montrose, St-Estèphe, 2ème Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2006
Beautiful, rich and incredibly softly textured, this is still very young. Also supremely measured and stately, with buttery tannins. The palate is just starting to...
2006
Château MontroseSt-Estèphe
Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2006
Opulent and a bit showy, the 2006 Mouton boasts pronounced aromas of blueberry, kirsch and currant with abundant evidence of cask ageing and hints of...
2006
Château Mouton RothschildPauillac
Château Palmer, Margaux, 3ème Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2006
44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 56% Merlot. A clear step up from the 2004, even though the vintages were not dissimilar in style. A more delicate grain...
2006
Château PalmerMargaux
Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, 5ème Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2006
A bit closed initially, the 2006 Pontet Canet opens with time to show notes of black cherry and mulberry fruit aromas with notes of wood...
2006
Château Pontet-CanetPauillac
