2015 Valandraud Virginie De Valandraud
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Quite intense sweet black fruit on the nose but it lacks freshness on the palate. Tar and toughness on the end, even slightly bitter. (JR)
Critic scores
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Virginie de Valandraud is a gorgeous, fleshy second wine endowed with real character. Black cherry, smoke, mocha, chocolate and licorice are nicely delineated in the glass. The 2015 needs at least a year or two in bottle to be at its best, as the tannins are a bit forbidding, especially for a second wine meant to be enjoyed in its youth. There is quite a bit to look forward to, once the wine comes together a bit more fully.
Medium garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Virginie de Valandraud offers up red cherries and mulberries on the nose with florals and earth hints plus a touch of cinnamon. The medium to full-bodied palate is velvety and seductive with lovely expression and depth, finishing perfumed.
The 2015 Virginie De Valandraud is a gem made from 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, brought up all in new barrels. This beauty is loaded with notions of ripe black raspberries, cassis, and toasty oak, and hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, and a great finish. It’s not the most intellectual wine, yet ticks all the right hedonistic pleasure boxes and is perfect for drinking over the coming 10-15 years.
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.