2013 Valandraud
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Tasting notes
It has been several years since I last tasted the 2013 Valandraud. Not over a decade old, it is fully mature on the nose with the same mainly black-fruited, undergrowth-tinged bouquet as before. It has a little more presence than I expected. The palate is nicely balanced—the challenging growing season kept a tight lid on complexity. It has an easygoing nature that I appreciate. Though this is not going to set the world alight, the 2013 is a decent Saint-Émilion that has held up over time. Tasted at the château.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
From a challenging vintage, the 2013 Château Valandraud is nevertheless an outstanding wine, revealing a pretty nose of currants, lead pencil, tobacco leaf, and hints of herbs. Medium-bodied on the palate, this balanced, spicy, complex, mature Saint-Emilion should have no issues drinking well for another 7-8 years, if not a decade.
Tasted blind at the Valandraud vertical at the property, the 2013 Valandraud did not quite match up to its barrel showing, although frankly it is not far off. The final blend is 92% Merlot with 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, the smallest production in recent years at 10,000 bottles. It has a light and rather insubstantial bouquet with airy black fruit and undergrowth aromas, although little in the sense of terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, supple dark cherry and blackberry fruit, well-judged acidity and a nicely poised, easy-drinking finish that serves its purpose: to give pleasure. No, not the best Claret ever made, but for a 2013 it is absolutely fine. Tasted December 2016.
Tasted blind. Very dark. Quite sombre and dark-fruited but not expressive. Serious, savoury and chewy but not tough. Not giving much now but good potential. (JH)
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.