2006

Vintage Quality: Good

Current Status: Ready to drink

The 2006 vintage in Bordeaux faced challenges but still produced good wines. A cold winter and dry summer were followed by a variable September. Pomerol avoided the worst weather and produced excellent wines. In contrast, the Médoc saw its Merlot crop affected, with many grapes ending up in second selections. Cabernet Sauvignon on the Left Bank was successful, although selection was key, and yields were lower than usual.

Yields across the region were significantly reduced, with Cabernet Sauvignon generally the most successful for the Left Bank and Merlot for the Right. On the Left Bank, wines from the Médoc excelled, particularly Château Mouton Rothschild and Pontet-Canet. Château Margaux and Latour dominated with Cabernet Sauvignon, leaning towards a more serious, restrained style of traditional Bordeaux. Pessac-Léognan, despite some excellent Merlot, also favored Cabernet Sauvignon. On the Right Bank, Pomerol produced several brilliant examples that generally overshadowed those from Saint-Émilion. However, the exceptionally high quality of some of these wines was only possible due to the strict selection by producers.

Dry white wines also achieved significant success, as the cooler-than-average summer helped preserve fresh acidity and aromatic compounds, and the late autumn sun gently led the grapes to phenolic ripeness. Some of the best examples were exceptionally fruity and perfumed.

Although 2006 was not the best year for Bordeaux, top wineries produced great wines, with some still drinking well, while others are already past their prime.