2006 Bordeaux. Trashed unfairly?

As a long-time fan of Bordeaux wine, I've been looking recently what to buy and apart from the 2005s I bought based on the in-bottle scores, I've been picking up some 2006 Bordeaux on futures.

Interestingly enough, it seems many have issues with the 2006 vintage ranging from the vintage being in the shadow of the glorious 2005 vintage, to some complaining about the high prices.

In doing my research, there were a few interesting tidbits I ran across that I think are worth sharing:

- Robert Parker mentioned last year that 2006 in the Medoc is like a modern day version of 1986 and 1996. Now I don't know about you, but most Medocs I've had from 1986 and 1996 have been outstanding.

- Neal Martin, formerly of the Wine Journal and now a contributor to the WA, has heaped incredible praise and high scores on a number of Medoc wines from 2006. Here's a guy who scores stingy and whose palate I consider to be close to my preferences...if he likes the wines that much, I bet I will based on past alignments.

- Prices, although higher than any recent vintage save 2005, are still a relative bargain. Where else can I buy world-class Cabernet or Merlot for between $45 and $60 per bottle? In Napa, that doesn't get me anywhere. And that's especially true for folks (like myself) who are having a hard time with the majority of California Cabs and Merlots (for a variety of reasons, but lack of acidity, balance, and over-ripeness are the main ingredients) .

I may be in the minority, but I like what I see from the 2006 vintage so far, and I'll keep buying a few more gems before the end of the year, especially considering that I'll sit out 2007 altogether except for the Sauternes and Barsac wines (the comparison of 2007 to 1997 makes me shudder).