2022 Virginie de Valandraud
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Tasting notes
The 2022 Virginie de Valandraud has a decidedly Left Bank-like nose, which makes me wonder about the Cabernet component here. Strong pencil shaving scents marginally obscure the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. Good backbone, gentle grip, again, quite Left Bank in style towards the finish. Very fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Based on 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Virginie De Valandraud is a smoking good wine, offering layers of blackberries, currants, tobacco, and chocolate. Full-bodied and rich, it has a deep, velvety texture, terrific overall balance, and serious depth. Vinified and aged 20 months in new barrels, it will evolve nicely for 15+ years with ease.
The 2022 Virginie de Valandraud presents an intense bouquet of blackberry, briar and a hint of rosemary that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and graphite-infused black fruit, offering tension and energy on the finish. It deserves 3-4 years in the bottle to reach its full potential. Gains delineation with aeration.
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.