I had not tasted the 2006 Magdelaine since its initial release until a subscriber in Texas very thoughtfully sealed up a 100 ml. sample bottle of the wine and shipped it to me to taste, and I was very impressed by the depth and complexity of this wine. The bouquet is deep, pure and starting to show some very nice signs of development in its mélange of red and black cherries, menthol, tobacco leaf, a beautiful base of soil, a touch of incipient nutskin, a bit of cigar smoke and a deft framing of cedary wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and beautifully balanced, with a lovely core, moderate tannins, good acids and outstanding focus and grip on the very long, poised and perfectly balanced finish. This is really pretty accessible for a young vintage of Magdelaine, but I would not touch a bottle for at least another six to ten years, so that is secondary layers of complexity can fully develop. A lovely example of Magdelaine from the very underrated 2006 vintage.

Sweet black cherry aromas interwoven with notions of crushed rocks herbs and spice emerge from the 2006 Magdelaine. The moderately intense aromatics are followed by a dark ruby/plum-tinged wine with more structure than usual as well as sweet fruit and impressive elegance and purity. This is never a big St.-Emilion but the 2006 is handsomely rendered. It will be at its peak between 2009-2018.