Chateau Haut-Marbuzet 2006: Rather sulphurous on the nose, with notes of struck matches. Quite a nice style on the palate, soft and round, beneath that some grip. Seems a bit dried out. It has some flesh though, is attractive, and has some interesting feral components. Nice acidity. Decent. 14-15/20

Chateau Lafon-Rochet 2006: A nice nose here, quite complex, with a good depth of fruit. Attractive palate, rounded, textured, some good flesh to cover the tannins. Decent acidity. This has good character and is an interesting wine. 16-17/20

Chateau Phélan-Ségur 2006: A pleasing nose, of dark, toasty fruit. Nice style, a touch of flesh to the fore, but a slightly hollow midpalate, with lots of structure beneath. It has a nice character though and I hope it would flesh out a little in barrel. Lots of firm grip and good acidity. Decent wine. 15-16/20

Chateau Haut-Bages-Libéral 2006: Rather muted but attractive fruit on the nose. Light on the palate, quite elegant, and fresh. It has a little depth and a firmness to what fruit there is here. It is decently composed, but lacking in impact. At best, nice. 14.5-15.5/20

Chateau Pibran 2006: A new blend for Pibran, with the Merlot increased to 70%, Cabernet now just 30%. Previously 50-50. Sweet fruit on the nose, smoky, a bit meaty. Fresh, rather light, not a lot of depth. Firm, ripe tannins and good acidity. It lacks character. It may have more appeal when it has fleshed out in barrel, but not impressive today. 13-14/20

Chateau Pichon-Baron 2006: Attractive, vibrant red fruit, and a touch toasty on the nose. The palate has a very dry, reserved character, very firm, with moderate acidity and a little flesh, not quite enough to cover the tannins at present. Overall it is very backward today, and seems hugely tannic and yet lacking in the substance necessary to counterbalance this. This might be a problem. A disappointment for the AXA Pichon-Baron team, who have been on a roll recently. 14-15/20

Chateau Branaire-Ducru 2006: On the nose this has a chalky, stony, mineral edged fruit style which I think I have noticed from Branaire in a small handful of recent vintages now. Full, rather perfumed, nice ripe tannins, and a chalky, stony edge rather like that on the nose. Decent texture and weight. Branaire seems to be ranking among the better wines St Julien more and more these days. This is not a patch on the 2005 - but no surprises there. 15.5-16.5/20

Chateau Gruaud-Larose 2006: Opened seconds before pouring, rather closed, and this may affect the assessment. Just a little stone and chalk edged fruit. It has a touch more flesh than some of the other wines. It is certainly attractive, with a ripe coating of tannins, quite fresh, and nicely composed. To be critical it lacks compelling vigour and direction, which a number of the better wines of the commune display, but still a good Gruaud. 15-16/20

Chateau Lagrange 2006: Quite open on the nose, sweet fruit, nice freshness. Rounded, lots of tannin, moderate texture, but not really enough flesh for me. Nice acidity, some good fruit. It is lively but lacks substance. Good. 14.5-15.5/20

Chateau Langoa-Barton 2006: A very open and evocative nose here, and the palate turns out to be in a similar vein, quite rounded, plump, with good flavour. Rather a chalky edge to it, but a nice texture too, and fresh acidity. Not quite sufficient vigour to really excite me, but a good wine. It pales into insignificance when you recall the immense success of 2005. 15.5-16.5/20

Chateau Léoville-Barton 2006: Attractive, open fruit, strong, appealing, and even a little delicate perfume which is a tad surprising. Nice weight, good texture, rather chalky tannins below which are not wholly covered by the wine. Firm, fresh acidity, it has a lot of structure and borderline sufficient fruit. It has some vivacity. It is for the long haul and is probably good for it, but a note of caution here, this is not a great Léoville-Barton. And will the price be right? 16-17?/20

Chateau Léoville-Poyferré 2006: This has some forceful, seemingly plump, ripe, smoky fruit on the nose. It has depth. A moderate texture, attractive, a touch light on texture although there is the barest hint of cream to it at the edge. Soft, ripe tannins, attractive correct acidity. Nice, rather plump as the nose suggested, nicely put together. It feels a bit soft and modern to me, but may firm up and will please many I think. 16-17/20

Chateau Talbot 2006: Nice sweet fruit on the nose. But the palate doesn't live up to expectations. Rather hollow, moderate fruit at best, ripe tannins, good acidity. It has an appealing composition, but lacks substance. Talbot often fails to impress at this stage I think. It may flesh out but not inspiring right now. 13.5-14.5/20

Chateau Brane-Cantenac 2006: A lot of character here, which is good. A firm and nutty style, rather perfumed, almost to the level of being soapy. Rather chalky palate, all structure and no flesh. Rather bare tannins. This wine lacks flavour, character and concentration. 12-13/20

Chateau Cantenac-Brown 2006: Quite an interesting nose here, showing notes of toffee and nuts, and some attractive fruit. An unusual style though. On the palate, plump although not very deep or plush, but nicely poised. Not a lot of structure to it though, a subdued layer of tannin behind it all. Lacks concentration of flavour, giving a rather hollow midpalate. A good effort though. 14-15/20

Chateau Durfort-Vivens 2006: Quite a depth of fruit on the nose here at first, perfume, stony character quite true to the commune. Full, rounded, plump palate, but a gentle texture, in general a middleweight. Rather firmer on the finish, where there are notes of liquorice. Peppery tannin. Overall, an unusual style. 14.5-15.5/20

Chateau Ferrière 2006: Quite open an evocative, deep fruit, nutty, lots of style here. Nicely rounded character, soft and plump, with a decent peppery acidity. A ripe grip too. This is deeper and more interesting than many wines here today. Good style, and another success for Clare Villars. 16-17/20

Chateau Giscours 2006: Nicely perfumed nose, attractive, with a good presence of fruit too. Rounded but well defined, quite fresh, nicely textured and with a good weight. Beneath it all, a firm structure and good acidity. This is a very good effort, in the context of the vintage, for Giscours, an increasingly successful Margaux estate. 16-17/20

Chateau Kirwan 2006: There is some nice fruit here, seemingly quite deep and concentrated with some deep fruit. Fresh, rounded, spicy, firm Margaux character. It has a little vigour, and is certainly nicely balanced. Spicy. I like this. 16-17/20

Chateau Rauzan-Ségla 2006: On the nose this has a lovely, stony, perfumed fruit which speaks very much of the commune. On the palate it is another attractive, light-footed wine with spiced fruits. It is rounded, attractive, not compelling, but it may fatten up in barrel to develop a little more punch. Pleasing enough now though. 16-17+/20

Chateau du Tertre 2006: Very open, fresh and bright red fruits on the nose. The palate is a little light in style, but has a little hint of cream on the edge. Midweight overall, a touch delicate, light-footed, subtle, with fine, ripe tannins. Fresh acidity. This is pretty good wine. 15.5-16.5/20

Chateau Camensac 2006: An intriguing nose, notes of smoky coffee and liquorice-laced fruit. Rather light-footed, but it has texture, although it is somewhat lacking through the hollow midpalate. A touch unfocused. Well coated structure, firm and ripe coating of tannins, and moderate acidity. Nicely composed, just lacking impact. 13.5-14.5/20

Chateau Cantemerle 2006: Sweet, sweet, sweet black fruit here on the nose. Rather a full style on the palate, ripe, a little creamy, rounded with a good texture. A bit of extract here, grippy, with decent acidity too. Nicely put together. Not at all compelling, but I think they have done well for the vintage. 14.5-15.5/20

Chateau Sociando-Mallet 2006: A nice, open, dark fruit nose. Pleasing, Rounded fruit, attractive, nice middleweight style, rather plump, but with fresh acidity. Certainly showing a little more flesh than when tasted at the chateau last year. An attractive package. 15.5-16.5/20

Chateau Chasse-Spleen 2006: This has a rather restrained nose, rather subdued. It certainly lacks impact on the palate. There is a ripe rounding off of tannins, nicely presented, but little in the way of texture or flesh. A rather bare, exposed wine which perhaps shows the difficulties of the vintage. Not a success for Chasse-Spleen it seems. 13-14/20

Chateau Poujeaux 2006: Smoky charcoal on the nose, rather feral, animalistic character. Lean palate, obvious, short on concentration and character. A lot of structure showing too. Rather bare tannins, insufficiently matched by the substance of the wine. Not a great success. 12-13/20

Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc 2006: 65% SB, 35% Sem. Not so expressive on the nose here, rather muted, soft fruit, a touch of oak. Full style, rounded, not the vigour of some other white Graves, a touch flabby compared to others, full, some grip, but not so well focused. Nice but there are better choices in this vintage. 14.5-15.5/20

Chateau Carbonnieux 2006: Attractive, open, well-defined fruit. Appealing. Round, plump, a middleweight. Firm tannins, a touch austere, firm, extracted, good acidity too. This certainly has appeal. It is fresher and certainly superior to the white. 15-16/20

Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2006: A vibrant, open, expressive nose, fresh with great depth. It has complex notes of spice and exotic fruits, with passion fruit, grapefruit and candied notes, all presented in a very broad and pleasing style. Full, with a moderate body, spicy, with a lovely structure. Firm, peppery acidity. Pleasing. Quickly fading finish but with age I suspect this will broaden out. Wonderful. One of the stars of the vintage. 18-19+/20

Domaine de Chevalier 2006: An attractive nose, with some spicy, nutty fruit. The palate has a full, creamy style with some ripe, rather grainy tannins. It has moderate acidity. Attractive, although not the fresh and vibrant style I would like, but it has many good points. 15-16/20

Chateau de Fieuzal Blanc 2006: 70% SB, 30% Sem. A quite beautiful nose, fresh and vibrant with grapefruit and grass notes, creamy, white pepper and flower petals. Fairly full, quite firm, peppery, structured, a nice style overall. Grippy and firm. Rather lithe. I like this. 16.5-17.5/20

Chateau de Fieuzal 2006: Showing an unusual fruit profile at the moment, with slightly sweaty notes alongside a creamy confected sweet fruit reminiscent of a bar of seaside rock more than anything else. Nevertheless it has a pleasing composition, full and plump fruit, ripe tannins nicely covered beneath. Quite firm, with quite correct acidity too. A nice style. 16-17+/20

Chateau Haut-Bailly 2006: An attractive nose, with deep, nutty fruit. Sweet with a nice depth. On the palate, though, rather soft, with moderate acidity, but with a nice, open, relaxed fruit forward style. Gentle, ripe tannins. Like some other wines it is nicely composed but it has no vigour. I am usually a great fan of Haut-Bailly so it pains me to say that this isn't what I was hoping for. 14.5-15.5/20

Chateau Pape-Clément Blanc 2006: Vibrant nose, with passionfruit and grapefruit, fresh and vigorous on the palate, with firm acidity and a very nice composition. Open, expressive, gentle and elegant, yet firm, with a slight toasty edge. Nettly, green and vibrant on the finish. This is excellent. A star wine of the vintage. 18-19+/20

Chateau Pape-Clément 2006: Beautifully pure and open fruit on the palate, fine definition, full and rounded, not quite creamy. A firm grip underneath, a plush fruit texture, very good acidity. It has freshness, but doesn't leap out of the glass. Nevertheless it has a very nice composition and I think this has very fine potential. 16.5-17.5+/20

Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc 2006: 90% SB, 5% Sem, 5% S-Gris. Fresh. Creamy, green-nettly nose. Vibrant and open, with candied confected fruit. A moderate texture and weight, peppery, grippy, full and firm. Good structure, this has very nice style, and is full of potential, although I preferred last years effort slightly more I think. 16-17+/20

Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte 2006: Rather a sweetly-scented nose, with ripe fruit alongside notes of cough-candy and aniseed. Full, moderately concentrated, a soft style, with ripe, defined but gentle tannins and moderate acidity. There are some nice components here but overall it lacks the freshness and structure I seek. 13-15/20

Chateau La Prade 2006: Very rich fruit here, appealing, nutty, attractive black fruit. Full, round and broad. Rather gentle acidity. Not so fresh as a result, plump, a little grip for backbone, nice flesh. Rather simple. 13-14/20

Chateau d'Aiguilhe 2006: Vibrant berry fruit and oak on the nose, sweet crunchy berries, red fruit more than black. Lean, quite delicate, not a lot of tannin, rather moderate acidity. Rather understated. Quite well balanced, fresh, well delineated. Decent style. 14-15/20

Chateau Angélus 2006: M 65%, CF 35%. A evocative, pure fruit nose, with some sweet oak already. Very indistinct on the palate, flabby, unfocused. No vigour or poise, and we should expect both. Soft, although there are some grippy tannins beneath it all, but it is a little deficient in acidity, freshness and a general presence on the palate. It is decent wine, but we have come to expect more from Angélus in recent years. 15-16?/20

Chateau Canon-la-Gaffelière 2006: An appealing nose, sweet, primary black fruits, not a hint of greenness here! Nice flesh on the palate, well poised, good acidic structure, full, a touch plump, quite vibrant, firm, with good potential. Yes, this is very good indeed. 16-17+/20

Clos de l'Oratoire 2006: A very deep, plush fruit nose with some oak apparent. Pure black fruits, rather lifted, a touch green and leafy, slightly minty despite minimal Cabernet Franc this year. Slightly confected, but it is young. A middleweight palate, firm grippy tannic base, good acidity but like some other wines not a lot of flesh over it. A touch lean and stretched out. Not a great effort. 14.5-15.5/20

Clos Fourtet 2006: Good fresh fruit here, sweet, a touch smoky. Full and concentrated on the palate, quite broad, good typicité. Nicely appealing texture, lovely grip, firm, not a lot of flesh. This is attractive and has potential. A good wine for this vintage. 16-17/20

Chateau Figeac 2006: A really impressive nose here, quite explosive, full of fruit, clearly very different to some of the other wines from St Emilion tasted here. A nice style on the palate, quite composed, although a little lean on entry. A fleshy midpalate, nicely covering the ripe tannins at the core. Sweet, stony fruit and firm acidity. This is really very good. 16.5-17.5/20

Chateau Larcis Ducasse 2006: Nutty and creamy fruit on the nose. A nice palate, a little jammy, plump and rounded, with some nice, ripe, grippy tannins beneath. Nicely put together so far, but I find it lacks freshness and vigour. Muted, lacking direction. Good but would be better if it had a touch more vivacity. 14-15/20

Chateau Pavie-Macquin 2006: Rather muted dark fruits on the nose, rather mellow, and it has a rich, sweet, bramble jelly character. Nice tannins, ripe, well spread out on the palate, covered by some ripe, plush fruit. Not particularly fresh or vigorous, but firm, and grippy, and nicely fleshed out. Grip on the finish too. Good wine but not the most vigorous. 15.5-16.5/20

Chateau La Conseillante 2006: A deep, plush, concentrated style, with lots of fruit which has a rather complex, exotic edge to it, a little savage or feral. The same on the palate, although there is a sweetness too, with firm tannins beneath. Very firm in fact, solid confiture fruit, attractively composed, fresh acidity. Complex and interesting. Lovely grip and acidity. Very good indeed, with excellent potential. 17.5-18.5/20

Chateau Feytit-Clinet 2006: Open black fruit on the nose, a sweet bubblegum style, certainly rather confected, but it is a very young wine. Rather lean on the palate, with a little grip and rather soft, gentle acidity. Not enough flesh on its bones for me, although this may develop in barrel I suppose. There is some potential here. 15-16+/20

Chateau Gazin 2006: Rather subdued on the nose, with some clean berry fruit all that is showing. Rather delicate, nicely composed, a lighter style. Decent acidity, and a gentle tannic structure. Rather pretty, but not very substantial. I have had better. 14-15/20

Chateau Petit Village 2006: An interesting style, seems a little chemical on the nose although the aroma was difficult to pin down. Difficult to judge. Plump and creamy texture on the palate. Soft and rounded, with moderate acidity at best. Very ripe, creamy tannins, open, looseknit, certainly lacking in focus. It is interesting, but I do sound a note of caution on this one. 14.5-15.5?/20

Chateau Doisy-Védrines 2006: Fresh, open, delicate and really quite pretty. White fruits, vibrant flavour, rather low acidity, pleasing flavours, a little grip, clean and well presented. Could be an early-drinking crowd-pleaser. Not serious or rich in botrytis, but quite nice. 15-16/20

Chateau Guiraud 2006: Not very expressive on the nose, a little herby-nettly, but with some sweet candied fruit too. On the lighter side of a middle weight, not very concentrated, creamy and clean though. Not much botrytis character, and a decent texture too. Quite good. 15-16/20

Chateau Sigalas-Rabaud 2006: An attractive nose, fresh and sweet, with notes of candied fruits. Fat, open, again not the depth or concentration of some other wines. Broad though, nice profile of flavour, low-level grip and acidity. Pleasing. But not really endowed with botrytis at all. 14-15/20

Chateau Suduiraut 2006: A vibrant nose. Slightly confected candied fruits. Very nice flavours on the palate, delicate flower petals, creamy oak. Candied fruits as on the nose, but not a lot of concentration or depth really. Not a lot of botrytis either. Moderate acidity. Decent, nothing more. 14.5-15.5/20