Winemaker Notes
The 2006 Georges de Latour Private Reserve marries refined elegance with opulent intensity and robust character. It woos the senses with heady aromas of blackberry bramble, ripe cassis, mocha, and spice. Dark, concentrated fruit picks up intensity across the palate, joined by classic Rutherford notes of black licorice, loam, and coffee. The formidable body is balanced by firm tannins that span the midpalate and linger with hints of cocoa through the smooth finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Even in this vintage, which was not so great, Beaulieu has succeeded with this dramatic, classic Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s absolutely delicious, offering a range of blackberry, black currant and cedar flavors, complexed with notes of chocolate, anise, sweet smoky leather and Asian spices. Beautiful now for its velvety softness, but has the inherent structure to last for a long time. Through 2014, and much longer if you like older Cabernet.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Very deep and extracted, and showing again that 2006 is a vintage capable of making very good wines even it has proven to be more difficult than in recent years, this expressive effort smells of currants, black cherry and hints of tea leaves with a nice dollop of sweet, slightly caramelly oak on top. Supple at entry, then firming up across the palate and tightening without losing its way at the finish, this one boasts classic structure and classic character.
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Wine & Spirits
Georges de Latour defines finesse in Napa Valley cabernet with its crushed velvet texture and blue-black richness of fruit. In this vintage, it’s more about texture than freshness, the lasting impression its smooth, creamy feel. Its tannin will plump up grilled chopped sirloin.
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Wine Spectator
Shows the power and finesse of fine-tuned Cabernet, offering a mix of dusty herb– and loamy earth–shaded currant and cedar notes, with finesse and refinement that should sustain this for another decade.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.