2016 Virginie de Valandraud
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Virginie de Valandraud has a very lifted nose with black cherries, liquorice and just a faint dab of menthol, well defined if just needing to muster more complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with very pliant, juicy tannins. Well-judged acidity, a little furry in terms of mouthfeel, there is sufficient acidity on the finish to carry this through and beckon you back for another sip. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Virginie de Valandraud is well defined and focused on the nose of blackberry, raspberry, crushed stone and rose petal aromas that burst from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very poised and harmonious, and supremely well-assimilated oak toward the poised, persistent finish. Superb. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Tasted blind. Spearmint and plush, ripe fruit on the nose. But then uncomfortably drying on the end. A conundrum. Over-extracted. But it may well show better in a few years. (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.