2004 Virginie de Valandraud
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Tasting notes
(features a higher-than-usual 80% merlot, as Jean-Luc Thunevin found the merlot to be more complete than the cabernet franc and sold off some of the franc) Bright red-ruby. Knockout nose combines black raspberry, minerals, violet and mocha. Sweet, lush and fat, with flavors similar to the aromas. Structured and serious wine, with firm tannins reaching the front teeth.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Deep crimson – looks healthier than Thunevin’s lesser St Emilions. Ripe aromas. A little forced and skinny on the palate. Deep and dark and rather brutal. Lots of harsh tannins. Very drying, slightly hollow finish. (JR)
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.