2006
2006
2006
For a number of years now, we have had a succession of great and very great vintages, surely proving that—at least so far—the weather conditions have particularly favoured the ripening of the cabernet grapes. It shouldn’t be overlooked though, that this success has also been the result of increasingly rigorous selection: in 2006, barely 36% of the crop went into the first wine, which will only be a third by the time it is bottled, after the unavoidable loss of the lees wine at each racking.
One single batch of merlot, though of remarkably high quality, finally went in the blend, but it only represents 4% of the whole… It is the first time we have had so little. Petit verdot (4%) and cabernet franc (2%) make up their usual proportions; they each bring added complexity that is difficult to define, but undoubtedly essential to the character of Château Margaux wines.
Cabernet sauvignon therefore dominates the blend: 90%! It brings to the 2006 vintage extraordinary aromatic finesse, tannic richness second only to the 2005, and a particularly dense and tight-knit texture. The finish is very long, fresh and lively—slightly firm, but already flavoursome.
2006 is therefore a great vintage of Château Margaux. Of course, it is not 2005, or 2000—those vintages are exceptional. But it does have both the grace and the purity of the 1996, the classic freshness of the 2004 and the captivating power of the 1986 or the 1995. Such balance is a brilliant expression of Château Margaux’s noble terroir, but it also demands a little patience. We recommend waiting a few more years. (February 2025)
Climate
After a rather cold winter (particularly during the month of February) but fortunately with more rainfall than in 2005, spring was so dry we almost started to get concerned about a possible lack of water for the vines. But that would have been forgetting just how adaptable vines are during a period of drought, and especially just how well great terroirs manage to even out such climatic extremes. On the other hand, our frost protection system was unable to prevent damage on April 11 at Virefougasse, the plot which produces the Pavillon Blanc, and resulted in a serious reduction in the potential yield.
The flowering, which took place in excellent conditions, promised an average-sized crop of red at picking dates very close to those of the previous two years.
The summer was then hot, even turning into a heat-wave during the last two weeks of July, the weather then cooled a little in August. It was dry, in particular: it rained less in July and August than during that same period in 2003! September brought the usual contrasting types of weather: very hot and dry for the first ten days, then mild and humid until the beginning of the harvest, then sufficiently dry to carry out the picking without any rush. This pattern of weather bears a strange resemblance to that of 1996, which had the same summer rain, the same very favourable weather at the end of August, and exactly the same rainfall from September 1st until the end of the picking. ... (The picking began on 19th September)
For a number of years now, we have had a succession of great and very great vintages, surely proving that—at least so far—the weather conditions have particularly favoured the ripening of the cabernet grapes. It shouldn’t be overlooked though, that this success has also been the result of increasingly rigorous selection: in 2006, barely 36% of the crop went into the first wine, which will only be a third by the time it is bottled, after the unavoidable loss of the lees wine at each racking.
One single batch of merlot, though of remarkably high quality, finally went in the blend, but it only represents 4% of the whole… It is the first time we have had so little. Petit verdot (4%) and cabernet franc (2%) make up their usual proportions; they each bring added complexity that is difficult to define, but undoubtedly essential to the character of Château Margaux wines.
Cabernet sauvignon therefore dominates the blend: 90%! It brings to the 2006 vintage extraordinary aromatic finesse, tannic richness second only to the 2005, and a particularly dense and tight-knit texture. The finish is very long, fresh and lively—slightly firm, but already flavoursome.
2006 is therefore a great vintage of Château Margaux. Of course, it is not 2005, or 2000—those vintages are exceptional. But it does have both the grace and the purity of the 1996, the classic freshness of the 2004 and the captivating power of the 1986 or the 1995. Such balance is a brilliant expression of Château Margaux’s noble terroir, but it also demands a little patience. We recommend waiting a few more years. (February 2025)
Climate
After a rather cold winter (particularly during the month of February) but fortunately with more rainfall than in 2005, spring was so dry we almost started to get concerned about a possible lack of water for the vines. But that would have been forgetting just how adaptable vines are during a period of drought, and especially just how well great terroirs manage to even out such climatic extremes. On the other hand, our frost protection system was unable to prevent damage on April 11 at Virefougasse, the plot which produces the Pavillon Blanc, and resulted in a serious reduction in the potential yield.
The flowering, which took place in excellent conditions, promised an average-sized crop of red at picking dates very close to those of the previous two years.
The summer was then hot, even turning into a heat-wave during the last two weeks of July, the weather then cooled a little in August. It was dry, in particular: it rained less in July and August than during that same period in 2003! September brought the usual contrasting types of weather: very hot and dry for the first ten days, then mild and humid until the beginning of the harvest, then sufficiently dry to carry out the picking without any rush. This pattern of weather bears a strange resemblance to that of 1996, which had the same summer rain, the same very favourable weather at the end of August, and exactly the same rainfall from September 1st until the end of the picking. ... (The picking began on 19th September)
Service & tasting
Discover our tips for serving and tasting your wine in the best conditions.
Service & tasting
Discover our tips for serving and tasting your wine in the best conditions.