2023 Virginie de Valandraud
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Tasting notes
A rocking effort, the 2023 Virginie De Valandraud offers ripe cassis, spicy oak, graphite, and floral nuances. It's very much in the ripe, sexy, flawlessly made style of this estate and has medium to full-bodied richness, a ripe, round, voluptuous mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and a great finish. Based on 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 18 months in 100% new oak barrels, it will keep for two decades. Drink 2026-2045.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2023 Virginie de Valandraud is a fabulous second wine. Rich, layered and super expressive, the 2023 exudes charm right out of the gate. Pliant contours and forward, supple fruit are the signatures. A burst of sweet red fruit, blood orange and menthol punctuates the finish.
The 2023 Virginie de Valandraud has a well-defined bouquet with a mixture of red and black fruit laced with violet and incense. Very nicely controlled and the 100% new oak is deftly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and perhaps here that élevage entirely in new wood just imparts a little too much in the way of wood tannins. In some ways, it is an old-fashioned style of Saint-Émilion that you found more commonly 20 years ago, although it is smooth and well-made for that style.
A blend of 90% Merlot and 5% each Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 Château Valandraud Virginie De Valandraud has a rocking mix- of red, blue, and black fruits as well as graphite, crushed stone, and savory flowers. This medium to full-bodied, round, supple Saint-Emilion has a beautiful sense of elegance, fine tannins, and a great finish.
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.