Mission Codename Cellar Stocker #9
That 100 pointer Bordeaux for $125? Was here today, but gone today!
Sorry if you’ve missed out on a few in this craziness, still though, did we not save THE BEST FOR LAST?
At least from an age/quality/price ratio standpoint, the 2006 LLC is hard to beat.
Why? Because it’s essentially ‘the 6th First Growth’ per many experts but can be had under $200 a bottle whereas your average 2006 First Growth is north of $800 easily.
The proof is in the pudding. While the greatest 2006s remained under the shadow of the overhyped 2005s, it became obvious in time that the vintage, in the hands of the right Château, clearly overdelivered, per a “a decade later” retrospective Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate tasting spotlight “some of the big hitters showed why they are class acts, whether that is Léoville Las-Cases or Lafite-Rothschild.” Boom.
Impeccably aged perfect provenance direct from the Château to you is a dream come true.
Before it sells out and we wake up that is.
96 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2006 Château Léoville Las-Cases has a very complex bouquet with heady scents of blackcurrant, kirsch, crushed violets, rock salt and just a hint of cassis. It is backward and can barely contain its energy. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very symmetrical and poised, a fine line of acidity interwoven through the black fruit, touches of citrus fruit developing towards the poised and tensile finish. This is a beautiful wine from Jean-Hubert Delon, but it needs several years in bottle. Drink 2023-2045.”
96 Points – Decanter
“Tension and muscular energy on display, with sweet plums and cassis, which are polished to perfection. Strands of silky, weighty, well-worked tannins are exceptional for the vintage. Still young, with a full life ahead, but I’d be happy to plough through its youthful stage by decanting for a few hours and sinking into this beautifully balanced, monumental wine. Drink 2018-2040.”
95 Points – Wine Enthusiast
“While the aromas are tight and firm, once it is in the mouth, this wine just explodes. The tannins are dark, almost impenetrable, dry and dense. These tannins are a layer over the fruit that just piles up with ripe blackberry juice, an edge of blueberry. The soft sweetness of this range of flavors continues on the finish, pitted against the tannins.”
95 Points – Wine Spectator
“Offers a pure nose of crushed raspberry and violet, with aniseed. Full-bodied, with beautiful, well-integrated tannins and a long, polished texture to the finish. Very beautiful. Harmonious and structured. Best after 2015.”
What the Winery Says
2006 Saint-Julien
- Winemaker
- Bruno Rolland
- Blend
- 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc
- Vintage
- 2006
- Alcohol
- 13.3%
- Appellation
- St-Julien, Médoc, Bordeaux
- Vineyard size
- 55 ha
- Terroir
- Mindel gravel, sandy-clay subsoil
- Average vine age
- 52 years
- Harvest date
- September 21, 2006 - October 4, 2006
- Aging
- 18 months
- Barrels
- 100% French oak