2019 Virginie de Valandraud
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Tasting notes
The 2019 Virginie de Valandraud has an intense nose with blackberry, graphite and orange peel scents that unfold with each swirl. The oak is nicely integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a little chewy in style, broad-shouldered and dense, one of the more backward Saint-Émilion wines in this flight. Yet it retains balance and delineation; I would tuck it away for several years. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Sweet, oaky and creamy. Round and seductive in the old come-hither, plummy St-Émilion style. A good wine for traditionalists. Quite a bit of tannin. (JR)
Mostly Merlot (there's roughly 20% Cabernet Franc), the 2019 Château Valandraud Virginie De Valandraud from the Thunevin team reveals a deep purple hue to go with a brilliant nose of spiced currants, black cherries, new saddle leather, Provençal herbs, and subtle floral nuances. It's rich, medium to full-bodied, and flawlessly balanced on the palate, with gorgeous tannins and a great finish. It's the finest vintage for this cuvée I've tasted, surpassing the 2015, 2016, and 2018. It's going to drink brilliantly for 20 years or more.
The 2019 Virginie de Valandraud has turned out nicely, delivering aromas of sweet berry fruit, pencil shavings and vanilla pod, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless palate that's succulent, fleshy and gourmand. It's a giving, gourmand Saint-Émilion that will make friends on release.
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.