Spottswoode 2006

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

Somm David T
9.2

This 2006 was a tale of 1/2 of the bottle decanted in a wide decanter and the other 1/2 left in bottle. The bottom 1/2 bottle better than the 2 hour decant. The decanted part lost complete Bordeaux character, mid palate and depth. A shorter decant was in order, but that doesn’t mean this 06 is waning. It has another 7–10 yrs from bottle.

2006 was the vintage that followed the grand 2005 vintage, not an entirely fair growing seasons. Based on the 2005 vintage, the Bordelaise overpriced the 2006 vintage. The Bordelaise disappointed in the price they sold 2005’s looked to make up their perceived losses in 2006. Except, the quality wasn’t the same. Not even close.

The nose shows brambly, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries and lean raspberry edges. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark chocolate bar, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather,. softy layered baking spices, black licorice-tarriness, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender.

The palate is ripe, juicy w/ medium, rounded tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, strawberries and lean raspberry. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark & slightly melted chocolate, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, softy layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, mid dark spices w/ some palate heat, black licorice-tarriness, dry herbs, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dry top soil, moist, grey, volcanic clay, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender, very nice acidity, nicely balanced, well structured/tensioned w/ an elegant finish that lasts a minute plus and lands on earth & spice with mid intensity palate heat.

92 decanted. 93 the bottom 1/2 of the bottle, not decanted.
— 19 hours ago

Scott@Mister, Daniel and 5 others liked this

Valdicava

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2006

My favorite brunello. 06 was amazing. — 5 months ago

Juan, Rob and 16 others liked this
Rick Phillips

Rick Phillips Premium Badge

I have one bottle of the 06 left. Looking forward to enjoying the Pretty Lady!
Jose Lorenzo

Jose Lorenzo

My last 06 @Rick Phillips But your 2010 a few days ago was my motivation to enjoy it. Cheers!

Casanova di Neri

Tenuta Nuova Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2006

We had the 2006 Vintage on 11/23/25. A fabulous Brunello. Medium bodied; Old World. Tastes of raspberry, rose petals leather tobacco and oak. Well balanced. Fantastic to drink an aged Brunello — 6 months ago

Serge and J liked this

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2006

Medium lemon yellow fine , persistent perlage . Quite rich and ripe on the nose with some roasted nuts , lemon peel , some camomile , still quite restrained and a little closed. On the palate again quite full and rich , ripe lemon fruit , orange rind , roasted nuts and a creamy mouthfeel , certainly enough acidity to balance but on the richer side . Good length and lightly toasty finish . This is good now but will probably improve over the next few years and last well a further 5-10 . — 14 days ago

Scott@Mister, Jeroen and 5 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2006

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2006 pours a deep straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of slightly bruised apple, white flowers, lemon curd, brioche, slivered almond and a mix of chalk and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and creamy. I wish I could drink this all night long. Alas, only a single 750mL and not a Methuselah. Drinking well now and will only be taking on more secondary and tertiary character. But if that’s your thing (and I can get down), this will deliver well past 2036. — 4 months ago

Tom, Zach and 15 others liked this
Ely Cohn

Ely Cohn Premium Badge

@Jay Kline I’ve been saving this same bottle same vintage. Great review!
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Thanks @Ely Cohn If your bottle is anything like this one, I think you’ll be in for a treat!

Giuseppe Quintarelli

Valpolicella Classico Superiore Corvina Blend 2006

Medium deep ruby , quite thin garnet rim . Aromatic and open at the start , dried herbs , rosemary , thyme , hedgerow , dried dark cherry , black tea , black pepper and touch of anis. On the palate this is quite rich , but with refreshing acidity , dried dark fruits, black tea and dried wild herbs , hedgerow notes . Quite fine tannins and surprisingly integrated alcohol with a long dried rose , herbal tinged finish . This is perfect now but no rush though is unlikely to improve, from now and over the next 5 -8 years . A unique take on Valpolicella , complex, lively and though
Weighty is extremely well balanced .
— 6 months ago

Shay, Anthony and 6 others liked this

Bodegas Muga

Gran Reserva Prado Enea Rioja Tempranillo 2006

Smells amazing. I get some coffee/chocolatey notes. Another great Rioja. Was very smooth, but still had structured tannins. I taste dried red fruits like the other one, but this had more acidity/brightness. Beautifully complex with great depth. Some warmth from vanilla and spice notes from it being so old. Had with the other Rioja I reviewed with a steak dinner. Great comparison drinking them side by side. Can taste the age, but not as much as the other. Think I slightly prefer the former. This is still amazing and I would highly recommend. — 3 months ago

Dom Pérignon

Brut Rosé Champagne 2006

Shay A
9.5

My contribution for a large, annual BYO champagne dinner. While this was a standout, others were: La Closerie LC20, ‘07 Cristal rosé en mag, ‘19 Westborn BdB

This vintage had 20% addition of red wine.

The notes below about bottle variation is exactly what was experienced this evening. A friend also brought the ‘06 Dom Rosé but there was a clear difference between the two. Whereas my bottle was deep, rich and an interplay of florals, juicy red fruits, fleshy peach and strawberry shortbread cookies, his seemed like a slightly less vibrant (not off putting) and more muted version (maybe low trace TCA?). The significant portion of red wine in this vintage has provided great structure at nearly age 20, and not as evolved as the regular 2006 Dom (more vinous than the creamy ‘07 Cristal rosé).

If I had another, I’d open it in the next year or two for this same profile but wouldn’t be worried about holding another 5+.
— 4 months ago

Steve, James and 33 others liked this
Wulf Losee

Wulf Losee

What are the red grape varietals they used?

Bonneau du Martray

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 2006

Pop and pour. A majestic lite gold color. On the nose: crisp apples, lemon, almonds, floral, and honey. Taste: creamy, beautiful texture and nice acidity wine with apple, pear, lemon zest, saline, flint, and a minerally lime peel medium plus finish. YUM! Maturing gracefully and time to go. — 6 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Brenda and 15 others liked this