Chateau Valandraud - St. Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe 2016

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98 Points, Jeb Dunnuck "Including 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Merlot-dominated 2016 Château Valandraud is a brilliant example of this cuvée that should match or exceed the incredible 2015 at maturity. Brought up all in new oak, its deep purple color is followed by a powerful bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, smoked earth, and hints of earth. Possessing full-bodied richness, thrilling purity of fruit, ripe tannins, and just about perfect balance, it's another tour de force from the incredibly talented Jean-Luc Thunevin. Drink between 2023-2043"

Chateau Valandraud Description

Château Valandraud / SAINT-ÉMILION GRAND CRU / PREMIER GRAND CRU CLASSÉ

The culmination of arduous efforts by a couple passionate about fine wine, Murielle Andraud and Jean-Luc Thunevin, Château Valandraud started out with the purchase of a 0.6 hectare plot of vines in a small valley in Saint-Émilion, located between Pavie-Macquin and La Clotte.

Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud gradually acquired several other plots or estates and the château now has a total of 8.88 hectares in Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse in the Saint-Émilion appellation. The combination of traditional winemaking, state-of-the-art techniques, and innovation at every step of the way in each vintage takes place with just one goal in mind: to make the best possible wine.

Jeb Dunnuck: 98 Points

Including 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Merlot-dominated 2016 Château Valandraud is a brilliant example of this cuvée that should match or exceed the incredible 2015 at maturity. Brought up all in new oak, its deep purple color is followed by a powerful bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, smoked earth, and hints of earth. Possessing full-bodied richness, thrilling purity of fruit, ripe tannins, and just about perfect balance, it's another tour de force from the incredibly talented Jean-Luc Thunevin. It's slightly more elegant than the L'Interdit de Valandraud cuvée and will benefit from short-term cellaring and cruise for two decades or more. (Drink between 2023-2043)

James Suckling: 98 Points

Vinous: 97 Points

Wine Advocate: 96 Points

The deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Valandraud packs a wallop on the nose with bombastic scents of baked black plums, cherry compote, coffee beans and licorice plus hints of hoisin, cedar chest and sautéed herbs. Full-bodied, rich and decadent in the mouth, it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and a fantastically long finish.