Château Valandraud
About Château Valandraud
The current succession of exceptional wines produced by this Premier Grand Cru Classé B is the result of something of a career pivot. Owner Jean-Luc Thunevin was a highly successful négociant in the most important fine wine region on Earth until 1989, when he purchased a small 0.6-hectare plot of land close to Château Pavie Macquin with his wife Murielle Andraud. This was followed by another 1.6-hectare plot further East to forge Château Valandraud - a contraction of “Val”, from Vallon de Fongaban where the vines are planted, and of course Murielle’s surname “Andraud”.
Valandraud is an estate that has had to work very hard indeed for its fabulous success. With almost no capital to spend on facilities in the early vintages, Murielle crafted barely 100 cases of wine from their 2.2 hectares in a borrowed garage – this was the original “garagiste” wine!
Things have changed dramatically over the past decades, and Château Valandraud has expanded in both its vineyard holdings and winemaking facilities. Today, 9 hectares are planted with 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec. With no imperious castle designating their base of operations on their behalf, Jean-Luc and Murielle were free to purchase only the best, wherever that may have been dotted across the appellation. As a result, the estate encompasses a huge variety of Right-Bank terroirs, from thick clay to hard limestone.
Branded by the powers that be in the 1990s as something of an enfant terrible, Jean-Luc retains an air of rebellion that pervades the style of his and his wife’s wines to this day. Rallying against the monolithic, austere wines of Bordeaux which, one assumes, he had himself been finding hard to sell as a négociant, from the very first vintage it was clear that Valandraud would be in the vanguard of fresher, riper and more approachable Bordeaux full of life and character. As certain as night follows day, style changes and this deeply concentrated yet the generous style is the norm and Valandraud has ascended to its rightful place in the official St-Émilion classification system.
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Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)
The Grand Vin 2021 Château Valandraud Blanc is mostly Sauvignon Gris but includes 30% Sauvignon Blanc and a splash of Semillon. Crushed stone, pineapple, and bright citrus give way to a medium-bodied, concentrated, incredibly pure, precise white displaying everything that makes this vintage so promising for the whites. As with all the whites here, it has a low pH, racy acidity, yet terrific mid-palate depth, beautiful balance, and a gorgeous finish. This will stand up to the best whites in the vintage.Inc. VAT£559.49 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)
The 2012 Virginie de Valandraud is a huge step up from the 3 de Valandraud. Dark, sensual and inviting, the 2012 possesses lovely depth in the open-knit, succulent style of the year. Mocha, black cherries, menthol, spices and licorice add the final shades of nuance. This is a gorgeous second wine. It should drink well for a handful of years. The blend is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc.Inc. VAT£339.89 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2018 Virginie de Valandraud is superb. Silky, pliant and expressive, the 2018 is wonderfully caressing right out of the gate. Crushed red berry fruit, mocha, spice and new leather all meld together effortlessly. From bottle, the 2018 is more refined and delicate than it was from barrel, and every bit as compelling. The Virginie is made from a collection of unclassed parcels around Valandraud and on the plains below the core holdings.Inc. VAT£713.38 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2018 Virginie de Valandraud is superb. Silky, pliant and expressive, the 2018 is wonderfully caressing right out of the gate. Crushed red berry fruit, mocha, spice and new leather all meld together effortlessly. From bottle, the 2018 is more refined and delicate than it was from barrel, and every bit as compelling. The Virginie is made from a collection of unclassed parcels around Valandraud and on the plains below the core holdings.Inc. VAT£245.09 -
James Suckling (94)
Blackberry, chocolate and hazelnut character on the nose, following through nicely to a medium body with integrated tannins and a fresh finish. Tight at the end, suggesting more to come with bottle age. Hints of mushrooms and earth. Second wine of Valandraud. Hint of wood at the end that will dissipate with age. Drink after 2024.Inc. VAT£241.24 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (91)
Tart but aromatic, lime zest, citrus and deft notes of white pepper and sage. Attractive and sappy. 2.5ha, 3.2ph, Harvest September 4-20.Inc. VAT£275.09
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Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)
The Grand Vin 2021 Château Valandraud Blanc is mostly Sauvignon Gris but includes 30% Sauvignon Blanc and a splash of Semillon. Crushed stone, pineapple, and bright citrus give way to a medium-bodied, concentrated, incredibly pure, precise white displaying everything that makes this vintage so promising for the whites. As with all the whites here, it has a low pH, racy acidity, yet terrific mid-palate depth, beautiful balance, and a gorgeous finish. This will stand up to the best whites in the vintage.In Bond£447.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)
The 2012 Virginie de Valandraud is a huge step up from the 3 de Valandraud. Dark, sensual and inviting, the 2012 possesses lovely depth in the open-knit, succulent style of the year. Mocha, black cherries, menthol, spices and licorice add the final shades of nuance. This is a gorgeous second wine. It should drink well for a handful of years. The blend is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc.In Bond£264.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2018 Virginie de Valandraud is superb. Silky, pliant and expressive, the 2018 is wonderfully caressing right out of the gate. Crushed red berry fruit, mocha, spice and new leather all meld together effortlessly. From bottle, the 2018 is more refined and delicate than it was from barrel, and every bit as compelling. The Virginie is made from a collection of unclassed parcels around Valandraud and on the plains below the core holdings.In Bond£556.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2018 Virginie de Valandraud is superb. Silky, pliant and expressive, the 2018 is wonderfully caressing right out of the gate. Crushed red berry fruit, mocha, spice and new leather all meld together effortlessly. From bottle, the 2018 is more refined and delicate than it was from barrel, and every bit as compelling. The Virginie is made from a collection of unclassed parcels around Valandraud and on the plains below the core holdings.In Bond£185.00 -
James Suckling (94)
Blackberry, chocolate and hazelnut character on the nose, following through nicely to a medium body with integrated tannins and a fresh finish. Tight at the end, suggesting more to come with bottle age. Hints of mushrooms and earth. Second wine of Valandraud. Hint of wood at the end that will dissipate with age. Drink after 2024.In Bond£185.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (91)
Tart but aromatic, lime zest, citrus and deft notes of white pepper and sage. Attractive and sappy. 2.5ha, 3.2ph, Harvest September 4-20.In Bond£210.00