Bordeaux 2006 Wine from Berry Bros. & Rudd

2006, Ch. Marsau, Cotes de Francs

Marsau represents an ideal compromise between a classic Bordeaux style and the more modern drinking clarets. The 2006 effort is a soft, jammy wine but with a good, firm structure that knits the wine together very nicely. This will drink well from arrival and for another 5 years.

2006, Ch. de Fonbel, St. Emilion

For the uninitiated, Ch. de Fonbel (from the same stable as the legendary Ausone) represents one of the best value wines available on the market. A St. Emilion that is classic in style as opposed to the more modern, extracted format - Fonbel has an elegance and finesse running through it that so many St. Emilion wines lack today. The 2006 is cool, elegant and balanced. Cherries and white pepper spice burst into the nose and there is charming blackcurrant fruit on the palate, with surprising complexity. This is a bargain at the price.

2006, Berrys' Extra Ordinary White

"More than the sum of its parts, this is as distinctively lemony as a lemon meringue pie, with a creamy texture, and oak (the wine is aged for 12-15 months in barrel) that is obviously present but doesn't smarm all over it in the manner of a fat advertising executive who thinks everyone should laugh at his jokes. Thank goodness."
(Victoria Moore - The Guardian - 19-Jan-2008)

2006, Ch. Gruaud-Larose, St. Julien

17This is an abnormally luscious and seductive wine for Gruaud Larose; especially surprising in a vintage like 2006. The powerful, spicy dark fruit nose with hints of violets acts as a highly enticing welcome. But, fear not, alongside the abundant, creamy, blackberry and strawberry fruit it has good tannic grip, freshness and lots of breed and elegance, in that typically chunky Gruaud Larose way. Manager David Launay was ruthless with his selection, using only 45% of his crop for this wine. The result is very satisfying, providing once again an irresistible combination of value and quality. Drink: 2014-2030.

2006, Ch. Langoa Barton, St. Julien

Langoa-Barton is always one of the first names on our buying list for any new Bordeaux vintage. The consistently sensible pricing and excellent quality from Anthony Barton and his daughter Lillian make it one of the must-haves in Bordeaux. Their 2006 is more masculine than usual, with bags of restrained dark fruit combined with firm tannins, a powerful structure, and a lively mineral-laden finish. This will definitely be a Langoa for the long term.

2006, Ch. La Fleur Gazin, Pomerol

This generous, excellent value Pomerol comes courtesy of Christian Moueix, the God of Libourne, responsible for such illustrious names as Pétrus, Lafleur and Trotanoy. The timing of the harvest around the September rains was crucial in 2006 and Moueix have got it spot on here. This has bags of delicious soft cherry Merlot fruit, good depth and concentration, especially for the vintage, and a very fine supple texture. A lovely rich cassis and plum nose tops it off a treat. Drink 2010-2016.

2006, Chateau St. Georges, Cote Pavie St. Emilion Grand Cru

To our mind, Ch. St. Georges, Côte Pavie is making some of the best value wine that Bordeaux has to offer. The 2006 is approachable now, if given some air, but will be perfect in 12-18 months time. The wine has luscious dark, broody fruit that is underpinned by well integrated tannin and cigar-box spice.

2006, Domaine de l'Eglise, Pomerol

There is no doubt that Pomerol produced the most consistent wines in 2006 - a consistency that has often been lacking in previous vintages. The 2006 Domaine de l'Eglise is no exception. Under the watchful eye of Philippe Casteja, 2006 Domaine de l'Eglise has a lovely voluptuous body with deep, plummy fruit and a herbaceous edge to it. This will drink from arrival but will last happily to at least 2015, if not 2020.

2006, Ch. du Tertre, Margaux

From one of the real up-and-coming estates in Bordeaux, Du Tertre's 2006 is a lovely silky wine. Gently perfumed, with bright yet creamy red fruit and a very elegant palate, the tannins here are so supple that you might almost think you were drinking Burgundy rather than Bordeaux. It is as feminine as ever with a lovely explosion of fruit on the palate. It has a generosity and attractiveness that is not frequently found in 2006.This will make delicious and extremely sophisticated drinking. Drink: 2012-2018.

2006, Ch. d'Armailhac, Pauillac

All the wines from the Mouton-Rothschild stable (of which this is the least well known) have a real energy and sexiness to them in 2006. Known as Mouton-Baronne-Philippe until 1989, this is rich, round and very pretty. Sleek, sweet concentrated cassis fruit shares the stage with supple tannins, a smooth texture and a lovely chocolatey finish. There was a time when the idea of 'Rothschild' and 'outstanding value' being in the same sentence would have been rather unusual. No longer. Drink: 2013-2020.