Chateau Valandraud
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
The 2016 Valandraud is inky black in color. It has a very pure, precocious bouquet of intense black cherries mixed with cassis and blueberry, but after a couple of minutes’ aeration it develops more refinement and harmony. The palate is medium-bodied, offering supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, gentle grip and great precision on the persistent finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2020)
The 2016 Valandraud is inky black in color. It has a very pure, precocious bouquet of intense black cherries mixed with cassis and blueberry, but after a couple of minutes’ aeration it develops more refinement and harmony. The palate is medium-bodied, offering supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, gentle grip and great precision on the persistent finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2020)
wonferful elegance and truly pure fruit are framed by clever oak treatment and its flavors lifted by great freshness and an iron-like minerality. Long, juicy and refined finish. Won't last forever, but damn tasty over the next 10+ years.
wonferful elegance and truly pure fruit are framed by clever oak treatment and its flavors lifted by great freshness and an iron-like minerality. Long, juicy and refined finish. Won't last forever, but damn tasty over the next 10+ years.
Feb 17th, 2016Serious stuff with impenetrable tannins, juicy acidity and great fruit quality, still sitting in the backseat waiting to take charge. Everything in place, this needs minimum 5 years to unfold, and when it does, my score will be conservative. 95+
Serious stuff with impenetrable tannins, juicy acidity and great fruit quality, still sitting in the backseat waiting to take charge. Everything in place, this needs minimum 5 years to unfold, and when it does, my score will be conservative. 95+
Sep 20th, 2015
Nice classic old world bordeaux. Smooth. Well balanced. Yum with beef stew.
Nice classic old world bordeaux. Smooth. Well balanced. Yum with beef stew.
Dec 19th, 2020Not the greatest vintage but still classy. Which is more than can be said for us at the end of the evening.
Not the greatest vintage but still classy. Which is more than can be said for us at the end of the evening.
Jul 18th, 2020
18/20 (95/100) Насыщенный аромат черничного джема, вишневого варенья, кофе, шоколада, ванили и ментола. Тельное с высокой кислотностью и интенсивными, вяжущими, бархатистыми по текстуре танинами. Насыщенное во вкусе. Мощное, экстрактивное вино.
18/20 (95/100) Насыщенный аромат черничного джема, вишневого варенья, кофе, шоколада, ванили и ментола. Тельное с высокой кислотностью и интенсивными, вяжущими, бархатистыми по текстуре танинами. Насыщенное во вкусе. Мощное, экстрактивное вино.
Nov 9th, 2018
Almost black inky robe, discreet nose of blackcurrant and very rich, dense, viscous, port like in the mouth. Not my style but differently from older years, there are no notes of surmaturite or any over the top issue with lack of acidity or flabbyness. Something has changed and this wine is much more balanced and food friendly that it has ever been. Please hold, see if the raw materials get lighter with the years. My rating might be low if the wine improves with time.
Almost black inky robe, discreet nose of blackcurrant and very rich, dense, viscous, port like in the mouth. Not my style but differently from older years, there are no notes of surmaturite or any over the top issue with lack of acidity or flabbyness. Something has changed and this wine is much more balanced and food friendly that it has ever been. Please hold, see if the raw materials get lighter with the years. My rating might be low if the wine improves with time.
Oct 24th, 2018
"The forbidden wine" in Bordeaux. ... nothing can stop the passion of a man driven to produce one of the best wines Bordeaux can offer. Extremely enjoyable!
"The forbidden wine" in Bordeaux. ... nothing can stop the passion of a man driven to produce one of the best wines Bordeaux can offer. Extremely enjoyable!
Dec 2nd, 2017Good but not great. Lacked fruit but still balanced and adequate tannins.
Good but not great. Lacked fruit but still balanced and adequate tannins.
Jun 10th, 2017