2010 Valandraud
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Tasting Notes
A real classic from Thunevin's 20 acres of vineyards is the 2010 Valandraud, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. A powerful wine showing even better from bottle than it did from barrel. The classic graphite nose intermixed with some licorice, sweet black cherries and black currants, forest floor and incense is on display in this powerful, super-concentrated, well-delineated wine, which is full-bodied, dense and moderately tannic. Unlike most Valandrauds, this wine will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and keep for 20-25 years. Drink: 2017 - 2042. Wine Advocate #205 Feb 2013
Critic Scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind at the Valandraud vertical at the property, the 2010 Valandraud is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc matured for 22 months in new oak (a little less than subsequent vintages). Initially it felt a little volatile on the nose at first and took time to calm down. This is very heady and raucous, lacking the refinement of the brilliant and superior 2010 Lafleur poured alongside. The palate is very concentrated with blackcurrant pastille and blueberry, veins of cassis emerging towards the finish. Almost viscous in texture, it has immense volume and persistence. It just needs a lot more time to temper its fieriness but that will surely come in time. This is a Valandraud for those with patience. Tasted December 2016. Mar 2017, www.robertparker.com
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About the producer
One of the first garage wines, Ch. Valandraud was created by Jean-Luc Thunevin – Saint-Emilion’s “bad boy”. Today the style of the wine is much more restrained, and officially classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé B estate.