1996 Château Valandraud
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind at the Valandraud vertical at the property, the 1996 Valandraud has quite an ostentatious bouquet with copious menthol-tinged red fruit, light peppermint notes - all atypical for this growing season. It might by a little heady but it is feels nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with an impressive weight in the mouth, lightly spiced red berry fruit, quite ferrous, almost Pomerol-like with a focused brown spice-tinged finish that lingers nicely in the mouth. It loses some of its harmony towards the finish, becomes loose and lacks the depth of grip of the 1995 Valandraud. There are attractive, light tobacco and white pepper notes lingering on the aftertaste. Drink over the next 4-5 years. Tasted December 2016.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
This 1996 Valandraud has firmed up significantly since bottling. Unfined and unfiltered, this viscous wine displays the tell-tale thickness of color (saturated dark ruby/plum/purple). The wine's exotic bouquet is just beginning to form, offering up notes of iodine, roasted coffee, jammy black fruits, and pain grille. In the mouth, it is medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannin, terrific texture, and outstanding purity and length. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2018.|| Wine Advocate.April, 1999
Saturated ruby-red color. Lively aromas of black raspberry, black plum and smoky, spicy oak. Supple and very intensely flavored; not as fleshy or fat as the '95 but seamless. Again, has plenty of firming acidity. Finishes with tongue-dusting tannins and persistent spicy flavor. From a just-racked barrel: More precise nose hints at violet. Lush and suave in the mouth; seems fatter but every bit as fresh.
Indian tea with dark fruits on the nose. Full-bodied with spices and truffles and a little volatile acidity. Round and juicy. Drink now.
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.