CHATEAU VALANDRAUD 1er Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion 2023 Bottle

Description

Château Valandraud 2023 opens with immediate intensity: glossy black cherry, damson and plum with blackberry, violet and rose petal, while graphite, warm cedar and toasted spice add savoury depth. Aeration reveals crushed bay, black tea and ironstone minerality. Medium–full-bodied, it offers a plush yet focused arrival, bright acidity and finely grained tannins that frame concentrated dark fruit and a discreet black-olive note. The mid-palate unfurls dark chocolate, mocha and cinnamon spice; a stony mineral seam and saline thread propel a long, precise finish. Oak is judicious and integrated. Drink after a short decant or cellar 10–20 years. Top scores: James Suckling 97–98 (“power with precision”); Vinous 95–97; Decanter 94. Serve 16–18°C with roast lamb, game or aged cheese and truffles.

JAMES SUCKLING ***** 97-98 Points
11 Apr, 2024 – Wow, this is really something. Very fruity, with dark blackberries and blueberries, as well as blood oranges. It’s full and layered with great depth of fruit and chewy, polished tannins. Turns lightly salty at the end. Power with precision. 84% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 8% cabernet sauvignon.

DECANTER 94 points
Tasted by: Panos Kakaviatos (at Bordeaux, 20 Apr 2024)
Drinking Window: 2026 - 2048
The best barrel sample that I have tasted from this estate in a long time, as it reflects not only the dark ripe fruit one expects, but also an extra dimension of freshness, with blood red orange lift on the finish. Let's not get ahead of ourselves: the attack (with similar aromas) reflects beguiling blackberry liqueur and cassis creaminess, along with red liquorice and iodine freshness. I still get oak stave aspects from the 100% new oak (which begs some caution, given the 15% alcohol), but superb mid-palate depth combined with that fine finish augurs well for the future. Strong potential for a higher score after bottling.

VINOUS 95-97 points
Drinking window: 2030 - 2055
The 2023 Valandraud delivers exactly what you expect on the nose from Jean-Luc Thunevin's crown jewel: very polished scents of black cherries, cassis and crushed violets. One sample had a soupçon of sur-maturité, although another at the château displayed more composure and coolness. The palate is rich and fruit-driven with layers of black fruit. The sample at the château showed more backbone and grip, a healthy sprinkling of cracked black pepper and a long and persistent finish. Give this three to five years, because it is a seriously good Saint-Émilion. - Neal Martin. Tasting date: April 2024

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ABOUT CHATEAU VALANDRAUD
Château Valandraud, elevated to Premier Grand Cru Classé status in Saint-Émilion’s 2012 classification, is a pioneering estate synonymous with innovation, meticulous parcel work and a modern expression of Right Bank terroir. Founded by Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud in the late 1980s from a modest holding, Valandraud quickly gained attention for its intense, finely crafted wines and its willingness to challenge tradition while respecting site identity. The estate sits on varied limestone and clay soils of the Saint-Émilion plateau and adjacent slopes, sites that favour Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the varieties that underpin Valandraud’s plush, resonant style.

Vineyards are managed with exacting parcel by parcel care, attention to vine age, rootstock and clonal selection, and strict yield control to concentrate flavour and expression. Sustainable practices and precise canopy management ensure healthy ripening and consistent fruit quality, while rigorous sorting at harvest preserves only the best parcels for the Grand Vin. In the cellar modern technique is matched to an artisanal sensibility, with temperature controlled fermentations, gentle extraction and élevage in fine French oak, a considered proportion of which is new each vintage, to add structure and complexity without overwhelming varietal purity.

The wines of Château Valandraud are typically characterised by an opulent, generous fruit profile, ripe black and red berry notes, and layers of spice, chocolate and mineral undertow, all framed by ripe, polished tannins and vibrant acidity that sustain ageing. While young bottles show immediate intensity and richness, patient cellaring reveals greater nuance, aromatic complexity and seamless integration of oak. Beyond the Grand Vin, the domaine produces a range of cuvées and estate bottlings that reflect its parcel focus and commitment to quality. Through continual investment, thoughtful experimentation and steadfast attention to place, Château Valandraud has established itself as a leading voice of contemporary Saint-Émilion, producing wines that marry modern precision with authentic terroir character.