2004 Château Valandraud

Tasted blind at the Valandraud vertical at the property, the 2004 Valandraud was picked between 13 and 18 October, and consists of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. It has a more rounded and fruit-driven bouquet than the 2004 Cheval Blanc, with red plum, Hoi Sin, marmalade and even dried honeyed aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, rounded and caressing tannin. There is impressive body and concentration for a 2004, quite grippy in the mouth and it fans out with conviction on the finish with raspberry coulis, wild strawberry, white pepper and cedar notes. This shows up its 2003 counterpart and it should drink well for another 8-10 years. Tasted December 2016.

Blackish crimson. Warm start and then a bit chewy. Modern-school exaggeration. Lots of tannin still. Firm structure. Rather over extracted. (JR)

Ripe baked fruit and a little medicinal. Rich and dense and still pretty massive and firm. Lots of oak dominating the taste. (JH)