2006 Rhône Valley Vintage

This season account comes from the Chateauneuf-du-Pape federation's vintage report and covers that appellation only. In Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the federation reported that the first nine months of 2006 brought below-normal rainfall and excellent sunshine, with 2,378 hours of sun against an average of 2,293. Rainfall was fairly low but well timed, at 368 mm against 450 mm in a normal year, with rain notably in mid-July and mid-August. The federation also noted strong temperature swings between July and August. Summer rainfall was very low, 58 mm against 99 mm in a normal year, and the federation said this let the grapes ripen in excellent sanitary condition. September brought a few stormy spells followed by a strong Mistral. Some plots of white varieties and Syrah were picked from the start of September, while the latest Mourvedre and Grenache plots sometimes had to wait until early October to reach full phenolic ripeness. The federation expected an average yield of 32 hl/ha, below the appellation's 35 hl/ha maximum.

• Chateauneuf-du-Pape, January to September: rainfall below seasonal norms and excellent sunshine (2,378 hours against a 2,293 average)
• Rainfall: 368 mm against 450 mm in a normal year, with rain in mid-July and mid-August
• Summer rainfall: 58 mm against 99 mm in a normal year; the grapes ripened in excellent sanitary condition
• September: a few stormy spells followed by a strong Mistral
• Harvest: whites and some Syrah from early September, the latest Mourvedre and Grenache into early October; expected yield 32 hl/ha against a 35 hl/ha maximum

The last wines were run off their skins at the end of October, and the federation said a particularly favorable late season helped the malolactic fermentations get started. It described the finished wines as generous, with deep colors, red and black fruit notes, good balance and soft, elegant tannins, while good natural acidity gave them a certain freshness. The federation judged 2006 a vintage of very fine quality potential that some compared to 1999, fully in line with 2003, 2004 and 2005, and called it the appellation's eighth very fine year in the last nine.

• Wines, per the federation: generous, deep in color, red and black fruit, good balance, soft and elegant tannins
• Acidity: good natural acidity gave the wines a certain freshness
• Cellar: a favorable late season helped malolactic fermentations start; the last wines were run off their skins at the end of October
• Comparisons: some compared 2006 to 1999; the federation placed it in line with 2003, 2004 and 2005