2006
A year of restraint and recovery — 2006 delivered wines with classic structure and moderate ripeness across much of the Northern Hemisphere, as growers rebounded from extremes in the early 2000s.
🗓️ Historic Moments
🗳 Saddam Hussein is executed after trial in Iraq
🎮 Nintendo releases the Wii, reshaping casual gaming
🎬 The Departed wins Best Picture at the Oscars
🌪 Hurricane Katrina recovery continues across the Gulf Coast
💻 Twitter is launched, changing global communication
🎵 Beyoncé drops B'Day, solo stardom solidified
🧪 Pluto is reclassified as a dwarf planet
🇫🇷 Bordeaux (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 70–83°F (21–28°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm July, cool and wet August, dry September saved vintage
Challenges/Highlights: Merlot struggled; Cabernet thrived on Left Bank
Harvest Window: Mid-September to early October
Reception & Scores: Mixed; Médoc wines scored higher
Aging Potential: Moderate to good; Left Bank aging better
🇫🇷 Burgundy (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 68–80°F (20–27°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot July, wet August and harvest
Challenges/Highlights: Rot issues; quality dependent on vineyard diligence
Harvest Window: Early to mid-September
Reception & Scores: Variable, but strong Côte de Nuits reds
Aging Potential: Whites ready; reds showing finesse
🇫🇷 Rhône Valley (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean (South) / Continental (North) | 72–88°F (22–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool early season, warm September helped ripening
Challenges/Highlights: North faced mildew; South fared better
Harvest Window: Mid-September to early October
Reception & Scores: Châteauneuf strong; Northern Rhône varied
Aging Potential: Southern reds aging well
🇫🇷 Champagne (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 65–75°F (18–24°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot July, patchy rain, careful picking needed
Challenges/Highlights: Balanced ripeness with expressive base wines
Harvest Window: Mid-September
Reception & Scores: Excellent; many vintage-dated bottlings
Aging Potential: Long-lived with toasty development
🇮🇹 Piedmont (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 70–84°F (21–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Mild spring, warm summer, perfect fall
Challenges/Highlights: Strong Nebbiolo vintage
Harvest Window: Mid to late October
Reception & Scores: Many Barolos scored 94–97 points
Aging Potential: Excellent; cellar-worthy
🇮🇹 Tuscany (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–88°F (24–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot, dry summer with ideal conditions
Challenges/Highlights: Top year for Sangiovese and Super Tuscans
Harvest Window: Late September to early October
Reception & Scores: Super Tuscans and Brunello scored high
Aging Potential: Outstanding; built to age
🇪🇸 Rioja & Ribera del Duero (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 77–90°F (25–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm, dry season with some drought
Challenges/Highlights: Concentrated fruit from low yields
Harvest Window: Early October
Reception & Scores: Traditional Rioja and dense Ribera reds impressed
Aging Potential: Balanced and still evolving
🇩🇪 Mosel (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 65–77°F (18–25°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Excellent summer, but botrytis in September
Challenges/Highlights: Sweet wines excelled; dry styles inconsistent
Harvest Window: Mid to late October
Reception & Scores: Auslese and noble rot styles praised
Aging Potential: Sweet wines long-lived; dry styles near peak
🇺🇸 Napa Valley (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 78–92°F (26–33°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool spring, hot July, even harvest
Challenges/Highlights: Long hang time helped Cabernet
Harvest Window: Mid-September to late October
Reception & Scores: Classic-styled Cabs; structured and ageable
Aging Potential: Drinking well now; top wines still evolving
🇺🇸 Sonoma (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool to Warm Mediterranean | 72–88°F (22–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Foggy summer with warm harvest
Challenges/Highlights: Cool-climate Pinot and ripe Zin succeeded
Harvest Window: Late September through October
Reception & Scores: Sonoma Coast wines showed finesse
Aging Potential: Most drinking well now
🇺🇸 Willamette Valley (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Maritime | 72–88°F (22–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: One of the hottest seasons on record
Challenges/Highlights: Ripe fruit, some over-extraction
Harvest Window: Late September to early October
Reception & Scores: Lush Pinots, some polarizing styles
Aging Potential: Most best enjoyed by 2020
🇺🇸 Washington State (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Continental | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot, stable growing season
Challenges/Highlights: Big-structured reds from Red Mountain and Walla Walla
Harvest Window: September through mid-October
Reception & Scores: Powerful, savory reds excelled
Aging Potential: Excellent structure; aging well
🇦🇺 Australia (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Hot Mediterranean | 85–100°F (29–38°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Widespread drought; small crops
Challenges/Highlights: Concentrated, high-alcohol reds
Harvest Window: February to April
Reception & Scores: Barossa bold; Margaret River showed elegance
Aging Potential: Top estates still evolving
🇿🇦 South Africa (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–88°F (24–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool start, dry and steady harvest
Challenges/Highlights: Good balance and varietal expression
Harvest Window: January through March
Reception & Scores: Strong showing for Chenin and Syrah
Aging Potential: Best wines aging well
🇦🇷 Argentina (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Arid Continental | 80–95°F (27–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Sunny and dry across Mendoza
Challenges/Highlights: Ideal for Malbec concentration
Harvest Window: Late March to mid-April
Reception & Scores: One of the decade’s best
Aging Potential: Top wines still showing strength
🇨🇱 Chile (2006)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean with Andes influence | 77–90°F (25–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Mild season with long hang time
Challenges/Highlights: Strong Cabernet and Carmenère
Harvest Window: March to May
Reception & Scores: Solid across Maipo and Colchagua
Aging Potential: Drinking well now through 2030
