Wine Enthusiast Magazine - Top Wines of 2006

Top 100 Wines of 2006

Top 100 Best Buys

Top Spirits

Here, we present our selection of the best 100 wines we sampled out of the 8,000 total that we reviewed over the course of 2006.

What you will find here are not necessarily the highest-scoring wines. Their numeric scores were just one factor in assembling this list. We also consider price, availability, newsworthiness and the X-factors: excitement, buzz. And we strive for balance—by which we mean, a balance of geography, grape variety, wines (red and white still wines as well as sparklers, fortifieds and dessert wines) and of producers; there is only one bottling from a given brand, though certain powerhouses scored well throughout the year.
If you do decide to print out the pages and use this as a shopping list, we just want to caution you: These wines were reviewed throughout the year; some, of the precise vintage indicated, may no longer be available. Prices, too, may have changed. But as a guide, a starting point, this is the wine equivalent of the Yellow Brick Road. Follow.

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De Loach 2004 30th Anniversary Cuvée Pinot Noir

	California, Russian River Valley / $45 Red This shows winemaker Greg LaFollette's master touch in the way he's balanced the wine and kept it harmonious. It's a huge mouthful of cherry pie and cassis flavor, with the most delicate notes of raspberries, toasted meringue and vanilla, subtlely spiced and dry. A gorgeous Pinot Noir that superbly combines power with elegance.

Chateau St. Jean 2003 Reserve Chardonnay

California, Sonoma County / $45 White
What a roll St. Jean has been on with Chardonnay. This wine was made from a majority of Robert Young and Belle Terre vineyard fruit, and is two-thirds new French oak. The combination is mind-blowing. The vineyards contribute concentrated spicy, tropical fruit flavors and perfect acid balance, while the oak provides elaborate seasoning. Absolutely delicious. One of the most satisfying Chards of the vintage.

Charles Heidsieck NV Réserve Brut

France, Champagne / $36 Sparkling
A big boy with almost fleshy fruit. The flavors push into exotic, tropical richness yet retain spicy citrus-rind highlights. There is nothing clumsy, despite the ripeness; the finish seems to extend almost infinitely and keeps zinging you with surprises...marshmallow, marzipan, cookie dough, etc. An added bonus: the back label clearly indicates when it was bottled and cellared (2001).

Sloan 2002 Red Wine

100

California, Rutherford / $245 Red
Impossibly aromatic. Hard to imagine greater claret perfume. Shows the most refined mingling of smoky oak, cassis, cherries, roasted coconut macaroon, cocoa puff and spice scents. Absolutely first rate, as good as anything Napa Valley produces. Compellingly, addictively delicious, but so dry and voluptuous. Classic wine, with perfect alignment of fruit, acids, tannins, oak, alcohol, the works. The grapes are from Sloan's portion of the Sacrashe Vineyard, high above the Silverado Trail in the Vaca Mountains. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 100% new French oak. Perfection in a bottle. Drink now - 2020.

Warwick 2004 Estate Reserve

	South Africa, Stellenbosch / $32 Red This was the first Bordeaux blend from the Cape, and remains one of the very best. This 2004 is stylish, very Bordeaux in its structure, yet shows a richness of fruit that Bordeaux can only envy. Black currants, dry tannins and a sense of great ageability - they are all there.

Sandrone 2001 Cannubi Boschis

Italy, Barolo / $135 Red
Absolutely lovely. It starts off dense and tarry on the nose, with plum and chocolate fudge scents, then adds layers of bright floral and cherry notes with airing, while the palate is a whirl of mouthcoating flavors that never seem hamhanded despite the great intensity. Finishes with wonderfully plush tannins, making this approachable now, yet capable of evolving for 20 years. Imported by Vintus LLC.

Château Lagrange 2003

	France, Saint-Julien / $30 Red A dark, dry, brooding wine, which has flavors of blackberries and red plum skins, which is not at all dominated by wood. This is a classic wine, with Saint-Julien's elegance and 2003's power. Imported by Diageo Chateau & Estates.

Château Ste. Michelle 2003 Ethos Syrah

Washington, Columbia Valley / $29 Red
This very limited (600 cases) companion to the winery's Ethos Chardonnay marks a turnaround for Ste. Michelle's red wine program, as Bob Bertheau came on board just before the 2003 crush. The style is seductive, sharp and spicy; the tart fruits tumble out in a pile of mixed berry and cherry. Chocolate and baking spices add more flavors; the wine is seamless, smooth and long; the oak beautifully integrated.

Punto Final 2004 Reserva Malbec

	Argentina, Perdriel / $18 Red Charcoal and ripe berry fruit announce this as a serious, masculine Malbec. The palate answers the bell, delivering tight blackberry and cassis flavors in front of a tannic, sturdy finish. Shows great foundation and potential; best in late 2007 into 2008.

St. Urbans-Hof 2004 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Spätlese

	Germany, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer / $20 White Is this a breakout year for Nik Weis? Never before have I found his range of wines so compelling, and this spätlese is just one example. Yes, it's still marked by heavy leesy notes on the nose, but the fruit is plump and succulent on the palate, mixing melon and apple notes with a heavy dose of spice and mineral.

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