2017 Virginie de Valandraud Blanc
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Virginie de Valandraud Blanc has gained a good bit of body and texture during its aging - qualities that play off the bright fruit nicely. Lemon confit, almonds, dried flowers and chamomile run through this super-expressive, large-scaled wine. The 50% Sémillon really comes through in the wine's breadth. The 2017 has the depth and intensity to pair with just about anything at the dinner table. This is one of the better white of the vintage.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Ripe melon, tart pineapple, white flowers, and sappy floral notes all emerge from the 2017 Virginie De Valandraud Blanc, and it's beautifully balanced, has integrated acidity, plenty of mid-palate concentration, and a great finish. The whites from this estate are underrated and well worth seeking out. The blend is 50% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, and 10% Sauvignon Gris, aged 9 months in once-used barrels. There were a scant 800 bottles produced.
The 2017 Virginie de Valandraud Blanc feels clean and precise on the nose with scents of grapefruit, yellow plum and citrus, lemon aromas that convey a sense of precision and focus. The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry, well balanced with neatly integrated oak and a precise finish. Excellent.
The 2017 Virginie de Valandraud Blanc is crisp, bright and nuanced. Drink this dry, bracing white over the next year or two. The Virginie Blanc is done in a style that emphasizes energy and freshness. The blend is equal parts Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, done in neutral oak.
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.