2024 Virginie de Valandraud
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Tasting Notes
Based on 90% Merlot, 5% each of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon, the 2024 Virginie De Valandraud reveals ripe black cherries, crunchy red and black fruits, and chocolate notes. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it shows a round, supple texture, ample character, and outstanding balance.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Deep garnet-purple colored. Waltzes out with showy notes of juicy raspberries and Bing cherries, plus hints of fragrant soil, Sichuan pepper, and star anise. The light to medium-bodied palate is lively and lightly chewy with bright fruit and a savory finish.
Deep ruby, a reflection of slightly longer extraction than at many estates. Grilled and charred cedar and sandalwood, bilberry and cassis fruits, vanilla bean and espresso. These are adjectives that I use in a bigger vintage, but have not rolled out very often with 2nd wines in 2024. 3.5ph, harvest 20 September to 5 October. 3.60 pH. 100% new oak.
The 2024 Virginie de Valandraud is a dense, potent wine. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice and a good dose of new oak lend notable richness to the Virginie. Readers will find a dense, opulent Saint-Émilion. This is in line with the style of the Grand Vin in terms of its flamboyant fruit intensity.
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.