2021 Virginie de Valandraud
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Some richness and ripeness at first and then sour on the end. No pleasure. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The second wine of Château Valandraud, the 2021 Virginie De Valandraud is worth seeking out. Ripe red and black fruits, violets, flowers, and a hint of new leather define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, with a pure, elegant mouthfeel, nicely integrated acidity, and supple tannins. It's an outstanding 2021 to drink over the coming decade or so.
The 2021 Virginie de Valandraud has a well-defined bouquet with a mixture of red and black fruit and sandalwood, damp loamy scents emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with finely knit tannins, quite harmonious with a surprisingly elegant and pure finish. This delicious Saint-Émilion will drink well for 15 years or more.
The 2021 Virginie de Valandraud is a powerful, dense wine. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, spice, new leather and licorice are all dialed up. It possesses quite a bit of richness, but stylistically, the 2021 feels bombastic and a bit pushed. This may be better in time, if the tannins soften.
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.