Bordeaux 2006 vintage

[Nicklasss]

Last night, i received the 2006 Bordeaux I bought 2 years ago (futures). I know that the vintage seems to have favorised Pomerol but was not able to get any (here in Québec, when you buy futures it's like lotery, you identify what you want, the provincial liquorstore wait unti lthey received all orders, and if there are not enough bottles for everyone, kind of lotery to choose the lucky ones).

Not having ''won'' any Pomerol, my order became really small, so I got my Pavie-Macquin, Sociando-Mallet and Haut-Bailly. I think i will like that vintage, on the Left Bank. Reviews have been good (especially Revue du Vin de France) but what I noticed almost immediately, is that Sociando-Mallet and Haut-Bailly are 12.5 % alcohol in the 2006 vintage (Pavie-Macquin is 14 %). Today, with every producer trying to get more alcohol than less, to have increase maturity of grapes, that 12.5 % alcohol on two ''let say more traditionnal producer's ''that are Sociando and Bailly, let me think that as I prefer balanced and traditional claret style Bordeaux, with normal to ''a little more'' ripeness, I should like those wines.

So I hope 2006 be my kind of vintage. I did not sampled any 2006 up to now. Not true, I tried the 2006 Chateau Haut-Castelot (St-Émilion from the Janoueix) and it was a medium weight super drinkable Merlot, with medium complexity. Real claret in style.

So what are your thoughts on 2006?

Nic

[Comte Flaneur]

I havent tried any yet Nic, but I plan a trip to Zachys soon to bag a sample - as many as possible in halves - to try ITNOS

[jal]

Hi Nicolas, I have tried quite a few so far and have been impressed with the quality; I liked Lagrange and Chasse Spleen the most, I also tried d'Issan, du Tertre and Lynch Bages and thought they were very well made. If I were to buy any one wine in quantity it would be Lagrange.

[Nicklasss]

Just one problem here : as the 2006 are entering the shelves, the prices are high, almost like 2005... this is nut! See first sample below:

Château Bahans Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2006 750 ML, 10859610 99,00 $
Château Beauregard Pomerol 2006 750 ML, 10849585 59,00 $
Château Belgrave Haut-Médoc grand cru classé 2006 750 ML, 10679774 49,00 $
Château Canon La Gaffelière Saint-Emilion grand cru classé 2006 750 ML, 10859767 125,00 $
Château d'Issan Margaux grand cru classé 2006 750 ML, 10849761 75,00 $
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint-Julien grand cru classé 2006 750 ML, 10860055 249,00 $
Château Giscours Margaux grand cru classé 2006 750 ML, 10839598 79,00 $
Château Haut-Batailley Pauillac grand cru classé 2006 750 ML, 10842412 59,00 $
Château Kirwan Margaux grand cru classé 2006 750 ML, 10842391 75,00 $
Château La Conseillante Pomerol 2006 750 ML, 10859695 215,00 $
Château La Lagune Haut-Médoc grand cru classé 2006 750 ML, 10859839 79,00 $
Château La Louvière Pessac- Léognan 2006 750 ML, 00133835 53,75 $
Château Lafleur Les Pensées de Lafleur Pomerol 2006 750 ML, 10865817 160,00 $
Château Lafleur Pomerol 2006 750 ML, 10865833 1 171,75 $
Château Léoville Poyferré Saint-Julien grand cru classé 2006 750 ML, 10850041 109,00 $
Château Montrose Saint-Estèphe grand cru classé 2006 750 ML, 10849956 149,00 $
Château Nénin Pomerol 2006 750 ML, 10849606 99,00 $
Château Pape Clément Pessac- Léognan grand cru classé 2006 750 ML, 10859652 249,00 $

Nic

[Comte Flaneur]

Canadian dollars I presume?

South of the border some of the prices look reasonable

[jal]

Canadian dollars I presume?

The way things are going, a looney will soon be worth more than a greenback

[Nicklasss]

I just checked on Wine Searcher, and the prices are more reasonnable in the States. About 50 to 60 % of the Québec price, if you convert everything in the same dollar.

What I don't understand is that our SAQ is supposed to be one of the biggest buyer of Bordeaux, so should be cheaper...

Nic

[dstgolf]

Nic,

Quebec and the rest of the country to a greater or lesser degree use the sale of wine and spirits to subsidize provincial tax revenues. Political and lefty greed/waste is rampant and they have to pay for it somehow.

Haven't had and 2006's yet but the LCBO must be sitting on a huge stash of unsold 06's with a major tasting coming to Ottawa on Oct 22. Maybe you could make your way down. 60 classified growths including the firsts will be available.

Danny

[rjsussex]

My 06s are now coming in and first bottles suggest an impressive, very BWE-style leftbank vintage. Notes on Gruaud, Lagrange, Gloria to follow soon. Agree that Lagrange is a winner. Best aspects of 02 and 04 combined, better than either. (See Jim's note.)

Have extolled the amazing Moulin de la Rose (and the very good du Glana) on this board.

Best

Richard

[Comte Flaneur]

My mission to taste a lot of 06 halves this weekend proved unsuccessful for various reasons...but Chris (Chasse) and I had the Lagrange which was good...I am not convinced it is better than the '02...and the 06 Sociando, which was corked. The 04 Sociando (also in half) was an exciting wine in an another wise dull (?) vintage), and better than Lagrange 06. Re 06s I am none the wiser.

[Nicklasss]

From the pricing here and Comte Flaneur quick review, I think I will target the leftover 2004...

Nic

[rjsussex]

04 Sociando one of my candidates for BWE wine of the year.

Richard