| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Valandraud is painstakingly hand made in new, mainly Seguin Moreau, oak barrels by the guru of the garagistes Jean-Luc Thunevin and his wife Murielle. First produced in 1991 (just 1900 bottles) with the help of Ausone's Alain Vauthier, this was the first of the "Garage Wines" of Saint Emilion and is still the benchmark by which all others are judged. Previously seen as an "outsider", Valandraud was awarded Premier Grand Cru Classé status in the 2012 classification of the wines of Saint Emilion.
Intense, ripe dark plums and berries with graphite and stones, as well as fresh, cedary oak. This has powerful yet very seamless and intense fruit presence with a very concentrated array of ripe dark plums and rich, assertive fruit, which builds smoothly on the finish. Impressive poise here. A blend of 90% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 3% cabernet sauvignon. Try from 2025.
The deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Valandraud gives up crushed blackcurrants, chocolate-covered cherries and espresso on the nose with hints of licorice, tar and smoked meats. The palate is medium-bodied with a solid frame of ripe, sweet tannins and just enough freshness to contain the bombastic fruit, finishing long and berry-laced.
They have done a very good job of finessing this wine while still remaining true to their new philosophy of turning the volume down from 11. A highly enjoyable wine with genuine juiciness through the mid-palate, with the most beautifully fleshy texture of raspberry and blackberry. A touch of sweetness at the close of play makes this extremely appetising, and this is without doubt an excellent Valandraud.
Drinking Window 2025 - 2038
Very dark, black core. Sweet and perfumed, rich in black fruit and a hint of violets supported by oak's sweet spice. Full in the mouth, compact tannins but lots of fruit at the core. Dense and generous at the same time. Needs plenty of time.
Drink 2024-2035
Rich and ripe the fruit is sweet the nose has depth the palate a rich mix of mainly black fruits. Fine tannins underpin with the ripe fruit giving richness at the back the finish is lighter with minty freshness 2025-37
Not surprisingly, given its statistics, this is a huge wine made, seemingly, from titanium girders and some massively perfumed oak, but there is also a lot of fruit here to feast on. Showy and demonstrative and very impactful, this flavour takes one’s breath away, but it is, remarkably, in balance, unlike other monster-sized wines.
Lots of beautiful blueberry and blackberry fruits here. Medium to full body, round and very polished tannins and a flavorful finish. Wet-earth undertones. Velvety mouthfeel at the end.
