Virginie De Valandraud 2019

A Premier Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Emilion, Chateau Valandraud shines bright among the most beautiful properties of the appellation. Offering a remarkable value for price, the Virginie de Valandraud cuvée is made from a selection of younger vines from the estate. The Chateau Valandraud vineyard comprises 12 hectares of vines in production, planted in clay-limestone and siliceous-gravelly soils. The vines are 30 years old on average. The grape varieties are dominated by merlot (70%), supplemented by Cabernet Franc (20%), Cabernet Sauvignon (9%) and Carmenere (1%).

Wine Spectator: 90
Lush in feel, showing warmed plum and blackberry compote flavors laced with alder, plus a light savory hint. Offers more muscle than purity, but this is still on the seductive side overall. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2030. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 6,600 cases made.

Wine Advocate: 90

Decanter: 92
Ripe and fragrant, smells so appealing. Rich and concentrated on the palate with a stony minerality that comes through straight away. Fine tannins are abundant but gently frame the wine that is clearly powerful but well presented. Plenty to come in time. Lovely wet stone minerality at the end with appealing graphite edges. Freshness with more savoury, spicy, minerals aspects than overt fruit at this point. Lots to like.

Decanter: 92

Ripe and fragrant, smells so appealing. Rich and concentrated on the palate with a stony minerality that comes through straight away. Fine tannins are abundant but gently frame the wine that is clearly powerful but well presented. Plenty to come in time. Lovely wet stone minerality at the end with appealing graphite edges. Freshness with more savoury, spicy, minerals aspects than overt fruit at this point. Lots to like.

Vinous: 92
The 2019 Virginie de Valandraud has an intense nose with blackberry, graphite and orange peel scents that unfold with each swirl. The oak is nicely integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a little chewy in style, broad-shouldered and dense, one of the more backward Saint-Émilion wines in this flight. Yet it retains balance and delineation; I would tuck it away for several years. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

Vinous: 92

The 2019 Virginie de Valandraud has an intense nose with blackberry, graphite and orange peel scents that unfold with each swirl. The oak is nicely integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a little chewy in style, broad-shouldered and dense, one of the more backward Saint-Émilion wines in this flight. Yet it retains balance and delineation; I would tuck it away for several years. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

James Suckling: 94
Blackberry, chocolate and hazelnut character on the nose, following through nicely to a medium body with integrated tannins and a fresh finish. Tight at the end, suggesting more to come with bottle age. Hints of mushrooms and earth. Second wine of Valandraud. Hint of wood at the end that will dissipate with age. Drink after 2024.