Wine Spectator (100)

This is very long and intense. Really impressive. Full and very sweet, yet racy and fresh, with spicy botrytis character. Fantastic. Score range: 95-100 -JS

Hailing from the esteemed Champagne house of De Venoge in France comes De Venoge Blanc De Blancs 2006. This vintage is crafted purely from Chardonnay grapes, sourced from the premier grand cru vineyards of the renowned Côte des Blancs. The astute blend showcases the richness of 2006 vineyards, while expressing the individuality of this distinctive terroir perfectly. Aged in the De Venoge cellars for over twelve years, the wine encapsulates exquisite elegance and sublime depth of flavour.

The De Venoge Blanc De Blancs 2006 displays tantalising notes of citrus fruits, buttery brioche and delicate white flowers, succeeding in an ample, full-bodied palate with a refreshing line of acidity. Its impressive length and precise, mineral-driven finish are testament to its supreme ageing potential and distinguished lineage. De Venoge, esteemed for their dedication to tradition and quality, adds just another masterpiece to its prestigious portfolio.

Wine Advocate (96)

The assemblage of the 2006 Louis XV Brut Millésimé is about the same as the 1995 and 1996—composed of 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all from grand cru villages. The only difference is that the Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (10% of the assemblage) spent 12 months in oak barrels. Disgorged in January 2017 (dosage: six grams per liter), the 2006 has a golden color and opens with a deep, ripe, elegant and vinous bouquet with toasty and chalky lemon and fresh white fruit flavors. On the palate, this is an intense, round, fresh and complex Louis XV with great purity and finesse. The wine opens on the palate like a soufflé, coating the whole palate without any pressure or weight—gorgeous! This is a delicate and fresh yet well-structured and persistent Louis XV whose intense and long but weightless finish reveals lovely, almost juicy fruit concentration with perfectly integrated freshness and lasting minerality that seems to give additional structure. The 2006 shows a lot of Chardonnay features right now and drinks perfectly today; however, it can be kept under perfect conditions for decades. Just keep it in the box, because the bottle is white and nothing makes a Champagne age faster than exposure to daylight. (Tasted in November 2017 from Lot LL15067017BT.)

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2006 Louis XV Brut Rosé Millésimé is almost the same assemblage as the white, with 50/50 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but it gets its marvelous color from the 6% of red Pinot Noir from 40-year-old vines cultivated in the single vineyard La Forêt in Les Riceys. The wine displays a beautifully intense and slightly cloudy/milky pink color. The pink Louis XV is intense yet pure and complex on the nose, with toasty mocha, nougat and concentrated yet chalky/mineral flavored red fruit and paté de fruit aromas. On the palate, this is a round, intense, almost smooth but elegantly pure, dry and fresh, perfectly balanced, structured and charmingly vinous Rosé Champagne with a dominant Pinot Noir character at the moment, although its freshness and tight mineral elegance is driven by the Chardonnay part. The finish is intense yet finessed, with vibrant red currant flavors, very fine tannins, good grip and impressive length. Wild strawberries, raspberries and cherries emerge in the aftertaste. This is a gorgeous food Champagne but you can also meditate with it. I guess I have rarely had better Rosé Champagnes. Tasted November 2017 from Lot LL150 6R5153BT, which was disgorged in February 2016 (dosage: six grams per liter).

Vinous (92+)

Glass-staining purple. Deeply concentrated dark fruit aromas are brightened by zesty minerals and complicated by smoky bacon and Indian spice qualities. Broad and fleshy, with dense cassis and blueberry flavors and a bitter note of cherry skin. Gains freshness with air, taking a turn to brighter red fruits on the finish. This rich, complex wine finishes with youthfully tight grip and lingering spiciness.

Vinous (92+)

Glass-staining purple. Deeply concentrated dark fruit aromas are brightened by zesty minerals and complicated by smoky bacon and Indian spice qualities. Broad and fleshy, with dense cassis and blueberry flavors and a bitter note of cherry skin. Gains freshness with air, taking a turn to brighter red fruits on the finish. This rich, complex wine finishes with youthfully tight grip and lingering spiciness.

Wine Advocate (90)

From 60-80 year old vines in En Champ, Combe du Dessus (by his cuverie) and several smaller estate parcels north of the village, Mortet's 2006 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes received 75% new wood, but the evidence has been buried. Scents of rose hip, dark cherry, and indefinite floral perfumes lead into a silken, subtly saline and savory palate that strikes a thought-provoking as well as sensually satisfying balance between elements carnal, mineral, and fruity. This displays the lift and refinement that render so many 2006s charming, and while it will probably hold up well to 5-7 years of bottle age, I can see no reason for long-deferring the pleasure of its company.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)

The 2006 Dom Pérignon is a beautifully balanced, harmonious Dom Pérignon that strikes an incredibly appealing stylistic middle ground. Rich, voluptuous and creamy, the 2006 shows off fabulous intensity in a style that brings together the ripeness of 2002 with the greater sense of verve and overall freshness that is such a signature of the 2004. Bass notes and a feeling of phenolic grip on the finish recall the 2003, as the Pinot Noir is particularly expressive today. After an irregular summer that saw elevated temperatures in July followed by cooler, damp conditions in August, more favorable weather returned in September, pushing maturation ahead and leading to a long, protracted harvest. The 2006 falls into the family of riper, more voluptuous Dom Pérignons, but without veering into the level of opulence seen in vintages such as 2002.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)

The 2006 Dom Pérignon is a beautifully balanced, harmonious Dom Pérignon that strikes an incredibly appealing stylistic middle ground. Rich, voluptuous and creamy, the 2006 shows off fabulous intensity in a style that brings together the ripeness of 2002 with the greater sense of verve and overall freshness that is such a signature of the 2004. Bass notes and a feeling of phenolic grip on the finish recall the 2003, as the Pinot Noir is particularly expressive today. After an irregular summer that saw elevated temperatures in July followed by cooler, damp conditions in August, more favorable weather returned in September, pushing maturation ahead and leading to a long, protracted harvest. The 2006 falls into the family of riper, more voluptuous Dom Pérignons, but without veering into the level of opulence seen in vintages such as 2002.

Experience the finest with Dom Perignon Michael Riedel 2006, a remarkable vintage champagne. Named after the renowned German artist, its exquisite bottle mirrors Riedel's unique contemporary artwork. These limited edition golden bubbles are a testament to the prestigious collaboration between Dom Perignon and Michael Riedel.

Sourced from the finest grapes in Hautvillers, this vintage champagne has evolved subtly over the years, offering a harmonious blend of rich, radiant aromas. Crafted with utmost precision by the skilled vineyard workers, it showcases the unparalleled champagne-making traditions of the house of Dom Perignon. Savour the elegant balance of creamy white fruit notes complemented by a sumptuous caress of brioche and delicate minerality.

With its distinctive character and unrivalled complexity, the Dom Perignon Michael Riedel 2006 offers connoisseurs a rare opportunity to indulge in an outstanding fine wine experience. It truly embodies the unique fusions of art, mastery, and tradition.

Decanter (98)

The Dom Perignon Rosé 2006 is simply amazing. Notes of raspberry, spices and mint jump from the glass in a seductive combination. The texture in the mouth is of precise, crystalline, laser-like tannins in an opulent style. A very great success in a vintage that was not always easy in Champagne.

Decanter (98)

The Dom Perignon Rosé 2006 is simply amazing. Notes of raspberry, spices and mint jump from the glass in a seductive combination. The texture in the mouth is of precise, crystalline, laser-like tannins in an opulent style. A very great success in a vintage that was not always easy in Champagne.

Vinous (97+)

The 2006 Dom Pérignon Rosé is every bit as captivating as it was last year, maybe even more so. At times powerful, but in other moments finessed, the 2006 constantly changes in the glass, revealing a different shade of its personality with every taste. Perhaps most importantly, the 2006 seems to have gained a level of precision and pure sophistication it did not show last year, when it was quite a bit less put together. Back then, the 2006 was a wine of tremendous potential; today that potential is starting to be realized. Quite simply, the 2006 Dom Pérignon Rosé is a magical Champagne. Don’t miss it.

Vinous (97+)

The 2006 Dom Pérignon Rosé is every bit as captivating as it was last year, maybe even more so. At times powerful, but in other moments finessed, the 2006 constantly changes in the glass, revealing a different shade of its personality with every taste. Perhaps most importantly, the 2006 seems to have gained a level of precision and pure sophistication it did not show last year, when it was quite a bit less put together. Back then, the 2006 was a wine of tremendous potential; today that potential is starting to be realized. Quite simply, the 2006 Dom Pérignon Rosé is a magical Champagne. Don’t miss it.

Vinous (97+)

The 2006 Dom Pérignon Rosé is every bit as captivating as it was last year, maybe even more so. At times powerful, but in other moments finessed, the 2006 constantly changes in the glass, revealing a different shade of its personality with every taste. Perhaps most importantly, the 2006 seems to have gained a level of precision and pure sophistication it did not show last year, when it was quite a bit less put together. Back then, the 2006 was a wine of tremendous potential; today that potential is starting to be realized. Quite simply, the 2006 Dom Pérignon Rosé is a magical Champagne. Don’t miss it.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (87-90)

Ruby-red. Pretty aromas of red cherry, floral perfume and spicy oak. Not fleshy but lively and fine, with fresh cherry, redcurrant and mineral flavors lingering nicely on the aftertaste. Tannins are supple and sweet.

Jancis Robinson (19.5)

Pale ruby. Tight and quite dry on end. But opened out to fabulous balance. Lovely now. But very sweet.

Jancis Robinson (19.5)

Pale ruby. Tight and quite dry on end. But opened out to fabulous balance. Lovely now. But very sweet.

Jancis Robinson (19.5)

Pale ruby. Tight and quite dry on end. But opened out to fabulous balance. Lovely now. But very sweet.

Wine Advocate (96)

Aubert de Villaine and his team harvested their 2006 Montrachet on September 26, and it was bottled (as a single assemblage) at the end of 2007. High-toned peach, lemon oil, musk, and floral aromas mark the penetrating, ethereal nose. Smoky, peach kernel pungency weaves its way through nutty, peachy richness on the palate. Less obviously dense, rich and sappy than the extraordinary 2005, this 2006 for all of its sheer viscosity and ripeness, displays a dynamic, almost shimmering sense of fruit and mineral interplay. Intriguingly, in my initial – November, 2007 tasting – this effect was more pronounced from a barrel that had been rolled to disburse the lees than in one that had undergone conventional batonnage. The youthful 2006 reflects its new wood environment in a way that the 2005 – at similar stages in its evolution – did not. There is no lack here of the mystery that should be expected from one of the world’s most fabled and expensive wines, not just in the paradox of viscosity, richness and power combined with elegance, lift, and refinement; but also in nuances that left me groping the lexicon for animal or mineral descriptors.

Vinous (95)

The 2006 Richebourg is dark and brooding, with tannins that still need time to resolve. A sense of classic austerity runs through the 2006 that I expect will always be present.

Decanter (100)

Medium-full weight. Very lovely, almost Musigny-like fruit here. Complex, concentrated and intense. Marvelous harmony. Very, very long and multi-dimensional. This is very special.

Decanter (100)

Medium-full weight. Very lovely, almost Musigny-like fruit here. Complex, concentrated and intense. Marvelous harmony. Very, very long and multi-dimensional. This is very special.

Wine Spectator (96)

Seductive and open from barrel about a year ago, this is more reticent now, especially aromatically. Nonetheless, there's richness and a slow buildup of berry and cherry flavors, which turn more refined and satiny as this lingers on the finish.