2024 Valandraud Blanc
Buying options
Tasting Notes
Based on 55% Sauvignon Gris, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, and 5% Sémillon, aged in 80% new barrels, the 2024 Château Valandraud Blanc reminds me of Pavillon Blanc from Château Margaux with its citrus, mint, floral, and crushed stone aromatics. Medium-bodied and concentrated, it has a gorgeous mineral character and riveting length on the finish.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Neal Martin, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Races out with vibrant notes of fresh grapefruit and lemongrass, plus hints of lime blossoms, crunchy pears, and fennel seed. Medium-bodied, the palate is racy and intense with loads of spicy sparks on the finish.
Love the grilled white peach and pear, with delicious smoked grilled oak. Grippy and drawn out, with a ton of elderflower, white pepper, lime zest. Will need time after bottling to fully reveal the depth of fruit, but hard to resist even now. Harvest 12 to 21 September. 3.1 pH. 80% new oak, 20% amphora.
The 2024 Valandraud Blanc was picked three times in the vineyard and matured in 80% new oak and 20% amphora. It is less expressive than the Virginie at the moment, but there is more concentration and honeysuckle scent that evolves in the glass. The palate is well balanced with a tangy, orange pith and mandarin-tinged entry. It has a keen line of acidity with a composed and persistent finish. I can see this drinking very well once in bottle. I like the energy here.
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.