Bordeaux | 2006 vintage
2006 is a reasonable vintage of heterogeneous quality due to the poor weather conditions. After high volumes of rain recorded in March, the next four months were considerably hotter than normal for the time of year. The weather was scorching in July. However, the region was subjected to a cool and rainy August which slowed down ripening. The weather at the beginning of September was miraculous, with temperatures of 35° C, but this was followed by heavy rainfall. The sun in September and October saved the harvest. Patience was needed that year before harvesting. Human intervention was the deciding factor during this problematic vintage due to weather conditions. Domains had to be extremely selective, not only during harvest but also in the winery. The end result was a vintage with wines of good length. The early terroirs, planted with Merlot fared well. The appellations such as Pomerol and Saint Emilion produced lovely mellow wines. So far, the great Cabernets are austere on the palate, but could eventually reveal themselves to be magnificent, especially the Saint-Juliens. But 2006 is a year for laying down, so patience is required. The Graves are very fine. The Pauillac wines distinguished themselves with their aromatic complexity.
The dry whites, saved by the sun that came out at the beginning of September, the dry whites are gourmand, aromatic and well-balanced. They have a good cellaring capacity, but can also be drunk young. The vintage produced sweet wines that suffered from weather conditions, which were to hinder or sometimes even prevent the development of botyris. Hence, the grapes underwent a rigorous selection that summer: only grapes with noble rot were kept.
