2025 Virginie de Valandraud
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Tasting notes
The 2025 Virginie de Valandraud, which henceforth comes entirely from the limestone plateau, was picked from September 9 to September 23 and matured in 90% new barrels. It has a well-defined bouquet with blueberry, iodine and violet scents on the nose. There is a touch more minéralité than usual. The palate is fresh and has a pleasing underlying citrus edginess under the black fruit. Gentle grip, nicely controlled towards the silky finish. Classy.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 35th vintage of this cuvée, the 2025 Virginie De Valandraud now comes from four different parcels of clay and limestone soils, and it has been dramatically reduced in quantity (not quality) to concentrate on a more limestone-driven profile. It has a remarkably pure perfume of black raspberry and blue fruit as well as chalky minerality, liquid violets, graphite, and Asian spices. I love its overall balance, and on the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It has a clear Valandraud-like profile and style, and it's a beautiful wine that's resting in 90% new barrels with 10% in foudre, hitting 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.5.
The 2025 Virginie de Valandraud is gorgeous. Floral, silky and bright, the 2025 has so much to offer. Vibrant red-toned fruit, white pepper, mint, pomegranate and orange peel sizzle on the palate. I especially admire the wine's energy and long, saline-inflected 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.