Farr Vintners Logo

Valandraud 1996

Tasting Notes

91
Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book (4), December 2003

Tasted blind at the Valandraud vertical at the property, the 1995 Valandraud has a forward, fruit-driven, hedonistic bouquet with copious scents of kirsch, red plum, orange peel and blueberry with a smudge of alcohol just blurring the lines. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded and supple red fruit, nicely balanced and demonstrating more precision than the aromatics, finally reining in everything. The finish is clean and focused, quite powerful and with very good persistence, that edginess just beckoning you back for another sip. This has long been an excellent Valandraud from Jean-Luc and it will easily offer another 10-15 years of drinking pleasure. While the previous three vintages of Valandraud all punched above their weight, the 1995 is clearly a step up in quality. Tasted December 2016.

89
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (229), February 2017
91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (122), April 1999

This opaque ruby/purple-colored wine is crammed with extract and power. Chewy and thick, with extremely high tannin, and a gorgeous, pure, natural feeling and texture, it is more burly than the classic 1995, but, this personality filled wine possesses purity and flavor intensity.

92/94+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (115), February 1998
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.