2015 Chateau Valandraud Virginie de Valandraud
France / Bordeaux / Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Rouge
Virginie de Valandraud, a second wine ready to spar with the greats, from Château Valandraud classified Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé B.
Virginie de Valandraud was created in 1992 and named after the wine enthusiasts Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud’s daughter, Virginie.
Since the extension of the vineyard, from the vintage 1997, Virginie de Valandraud has its own identity. Vines come from the same plots and wine making is treated with the same care as Château Valandraud.
Because of the constant excellency of wine’s quality, Virginie de Valandraud is often considered to be the second wine of Château Valandraud Premier Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Emilion.
Wine Enthusiast tasting notes 93/100 (January 2018): "The second wine of Château Valandraud, this is rich, spicy with great fruit and firm tannins. The wood aging is still showing but it will soon integrate better with the ripeness of the rich fruit. This wine has weight, plenty of black fruit and acidity. Drink from 2022".
Robert Parker Wine Advocate/Neal Martin tasting notes 91-93/100: "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 fullbodied palate is velvety and seductive with lovely expression and depth, finishing perfumed".
Wine Spectator/JM tasting notes 91/100: "Lovely, with an open-knit, flattering display of plum sauce and creamed raspberry notes infused with light anise, cocoa, and fruitcake hints. Ready to go. Drink now through 2026. 5,417 cases made".
James Suckling tasting notes 93-94/100: "Wow. This is really excellent with blackberry, blueberry, and asphalt aromas and flavors. Full and powerful. Yet racy and pretty. Tiny production".
Jeb Dunnuck tasting notes 93/100: "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".
Blend:
70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ratings vintage 2015:
- Berlin Wine Trophy: Gold (2018).
- James Suckling: 93-94/100.
- Falstaff: 92-94/100.