2009 Valandraud

Tasted blind at the Valandraud vertical at the property, the 2009 Valandraud is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc matured in 100% new oak for 22 months. It has a more opulent, ravishing, Rubenesque bouquet than the outstanding 2008 Valandraud (as you would expect): layers of viscous black cherry and raspberry fruit, orange pith, over-ripe Satsumas and crushed violet. The palate is medium-bodied with sweet tannin and plenty of luscious ripe red and black fruit. The alcohol seems nicely contained with a slightly cloying blueberry and raspberry finish that leaves a tang of licorice on the aftertaste. Decadent but irresistible. Tasted December 2016. Mar 2017, www.robertparker.com

Very deep crimson. Rich and round and a little tarry on the nose. Very sweet and round and flashy. Dramatic and alive with lots of electricity in the wine. Dry on the finish but not excessively so. Dances a bit and is very lively as well as managing to be quite supple. Just 10% Cabernet Franc, pH 3.5, < 14% apparently. Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com

An inky/purple wine with an extraordinary nose of black raspberries, blueberries, acacia flowers, licorice and camphor, it is full-bodied, multi-dimensional and layered, with silky tannins, stunning purity, and a finish of 50+ seconds. This is an opulent, sexy, sumptuous style of wine to drink over the next 15 or more years. Kudos to Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle!||One of the all-time great wines from Jean-Luc Thunevin and his partner Murielle Andraud, the 2009 Valandraud represents 13,000 bottles, with most of it coming from vineyard parcels near the sector of St.-Emilion known as St.-Christophe des Bardes. Wine Advocate.February, 2012