Very cold starting in November with temperatures which went down as far as -7°C in December and January. And -1°C and -2°C at the beginning of March

Weeps on March 15 and bud break on March 29. The month of May is marked by bouts of rain and bright periods. Mid-flowering was between June 2nd for the Merlot and June 8th for the Cabernet Sauvignon. The week during the flowering of the Merlot was cold. It was followed by a very hot week during which the Cabernet Sauvignon flowered. This sequence cold, then hot caused flower abortion in all the grape varieties.

July was dry and scorching hot. The vine therefore suffered during its vegetative period. As a result, the berries are small. Mid-veraison started on August 7 . The month of August was wet (12 days of rain of varying degrees) and cold. On August 25th almost 30 mm of rain fell on one day.

Between the 5th and 10th of September the sun was scorching hot and burnt all the grapes that were exposed. A ten days period of good weather at the end of September and the beginning of October allowed us to pick up in excellent conditions thanks to the commitment of our teams of workers and thanks to the fast decision of their managers. These climatic conditions did engender a very high polyphenolic potential. Harvest started on September 20 and ended on October 1.

It is great to see Pichon-Lalande back on superb form in 2006 with a wine whose purity and linear cassis fruit is reminiscent of their cracking 1996. General Manager Gildas d'Ollone and his team have produced a cerebral yet beguiling Pichon-Lalande full of sensual, exotic aromatics and pure supple flavours. This is a massive Pichon softened by a silky texture and velvety finish. New owners Louis Roederer must be delighted with their first vintage here, and rightly so.

64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot