2017 vintage. @ Mister A’s Restaurant, San Diego-Les Caves de St. Charles CDP dinner. Initially, an absolute ballbuster. Massive tannins with a modicum of velveteen fruit at the end of a long tunnel. After two hours? Surprise! Change partners and the nearsome, fearsome tanninfest coalesced into the velveteen fruitfest. Remarkable concentration, tho, from start to finish over the course of the dinner. Best newer-vintage CDP, out of roughly 200, that I’ve had in the last two years. Just a remarkable chameleon. Supposedly 50/50 Grenache/Syrah. Worth the hunt. 11.16.23. — 6 months ago
Pagodes de Cos is a second wine of Château Cos d’Estournel. 3 hour Decant. Web article, Second Growth Bordeaux according to the Bordeaux classification of 1855. Located in St.-Estephe, the château includes 160 acres of vineyards planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. The average age of the vines is 35 years. Founded in the 18th century by Louis Gaspard d’Estournel, the château’s wines were so admired in the 19th century that they were in demand all over the world. The château was bought and sold many times during the late 19th and 20th centuries, and in 2000 it was acquired by Michel Reybier, under whose direction the château has continued its climb to excellence. Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that Cos d’Estournel “has been particularly successful in difficult vintages” and “remains impeccably managed.” Some 200,000 bottles of the signature Cos d’Estournel are produced each year. — a year ago
Bright gold. Abundant nose of baked apricot. Echoed in the full palate which adds orange rind, dark peach, and a slight hint of stony mineral. Medium acidity; just enough to keep it food friendly. Otherwise it's nicely rich in the mouth and slides smoothly into the lengthy, palate-continuing finish. Rich seafood and poultry dishes are the call to order here, especially with cream sauces. A really complex white at a decent price for the appellation. Drink now through 2025. — 7 months ago
A steal on auction
I wouldn’t consider it a 🥩 wine but great with charcuterie
Web info
Chateau Valandraud is represented by the passion of a couple: Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud. Following the great success with the wine merchant business in Saint Emilion, they opened their own vineyard to produce their own wine.
In 1989, they bought a small parcel of 0.6 hectare (1.48 acres) located in a small valley near Saint Emilion between Pavie-Macquin and La Clotte. The origin of the wine name is as much geographic (Val: Vallon de Fongaban), as sentimental (Andraud: Murielle’s maiden name). Thus Chateau Valandraud was born.
Little by little, Jean-Luc and his wife purchased several other parcels of vines, and now, the domain represents a total surface of 10 hectares (24.71 acres), located in various areas of Saint Emilion. The diversity of soils and varietals permit the production of 6 different wines: Chateau Valandraud, Chateau Valandraud Casher, Virginie de Valandraud and the 3 de Valandraud (the second wine of Chateau Valandraud and Virginie de Valandraud), Blanc de Valandraud N° 1 and N° 2.
The final blending of the various parcels occurs in the month of March, following a blind tasting with the help of the world famous oenologist, Michel Rolland. — a year ago
Med to full body Grenache, Syrah Mourvèdre. This wine has a little spice with tangy lush red fruit. A crisp Pepperyness on the finish. — 8 months ago
[Tasted on November 8, 2022 at Home]
Wine is Cuvée des Deux Soeurs Red Chateauneuf-du-Pape. 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. Black cherry, strawberry and red plum fruit, with red licorice, iron and black pepper. — 2 years ago
Turd Ferguson
After two days open in the fridge this is so much better. — 4 days ago