Virginie de Valandraud
St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
It’s been about 6 months since I last tried the 2016 Virginie de Valandraud which, really isn’t a true 2nd wine of Chateau Valandraud. In fact, it’s made in the same fashion as the Grand Vin by the same team but from separate terroir. The wine pours a deep, impenetrable, glass staining ruby and there’s already a bunch of sediment coating the inside of the bottle. The nose is high intensity, with currants, tobacco, bell pepper, purple flowers, smoke, and baking spice. On the palate, the wine is generous with perfectly ripe dark fruits, tobacco, earth and baking spice. Finish is bone dry. This is a dense, extracted wine yet it remains balanced. The structure is firm but not overbearing. Great acid. While this is really good stuff now, I expect it will continue to evolve for many years to come. Check back in another 6-10 years.
It’s been about 6 months since I last tried the 2016 Virginie de Valandraud which, really isn’t a true 2nd wine of Chateau Valandraud. In fact, it’s made in the same fashion as the Grand Vin by the same team but from separate terroir. The wine pours a deep, impenetrable, glass staining ruby and there’s already a bunch of sediment coating the inside of the bottle. The nose is high intensity, with currants, tobacco, bell pepper, purple flowers, smoke, and baking spice. On the palate, the wine is generous with perfectly ripe dark fruits, tobacco, earth and baking spice. Finish is bone dry. This is a dense, extracted wine yet it remains balanced. The structure is firm but not overbearing. Great acid. While this is really good stuff now, I expect it will continue to evolve for many years to come. Check back in another 6-10 years.
Jun 1st, 2021
Dec 14, 2020. W/ Caitlin. Wine Folly tasting challenge, Bordeaux. C got this at Last Bottle. Definitely needs more time but should be beautiful in a couple years. Cedar, cherry, black fruit. Complex and well balanced.
Dec 14, 2020. W/ Caitlin. Wine Folly tasting challenge, Bordeaux. C got this at Last Bottle. Definitely needs more time but should be beautiful in a couple years. Cedar, cherry, black fruit. Complex and well balanced.
Dec 15th, 2020
Too young, I know, but couldn’t help it;). Black fruits- currant, black berry, plum, cherry abound. Some hint of licorice and perhaps a little twig/ceder box. Easy drinking with moderate tanin. Moderate finish. Higher alcohol then expected but not hot. Excited to see this develop over the next couple of years.
Too young, I know, but couldn’t help it;). Black fruits- currant, black berry, plum, cherry abound. Some hint of licorice and perhaps a little twig/ceder box. Easy drinking with moderate tanin. Moderate finish. Higher alcohol then expected but not hot. Excited to see this develop over the next couple of years.
Oct 4th, 2020
En Primeur Tasting 2016 Vintage in Bordeaux
En Primeur Tasting 2016 Vintage in Bordeaux
Apr 3rd, 2017
