2004 Valandraud Virginie De Valandraud

The proprietors of this estate, husband and wife team Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud, first found success as wine merchants in the St. Emilion area in the early 1980s. Their long-term goal was to own and produce wine from their own vineyards, and in 1989 they took a first step with the purchase of a small parcel in St. Emilion. They have continued to acquire miniscule plots, slowly adding to their holdings, which now total 5.5 acres. The first vintage was produced in 1991, with vineyard management and winemaking done by hand to best preserve fruit quality. This strong commitment to a highly involved winemaking process, as well as help from consultant Alain Vauthier, co-owner of Ausone, results in a wine of extraordinary texture, concentration and balance.

"The creation of Jean-Luc Thunevin, the de facto leader of the St. Emilion vin de garage movement, Valandraud is unquestionably Bordeaux's finest success story to date. The craze for Valandraud is such that it fetches prices equal, if not superior, to those of the first growths." - Robert Parker