Château Valandraud

Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé B

2018 Château Valandraud

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, some spices, layered, intense yet refined and detailed nose, incredible depth. Floral high notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, liquorice, spices, layered, detailed and nuanced, lush yet graceful. Long indeed! Stunning. Tasted three times with very similar notes. 98-100

2018 Virginie de Valandraud

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, deeper nose. Slight floral note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, dark fruity, detailed and long. 93-95

2018 Château de Valandraud blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Fresh, fruity, minerals, apples, elegant, nuanced nose. Citrus and floral notes. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, elegant texture, lovely balance, long. 91-93

2018 Virginie de Valandraud blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some citrus and vanilla nose. Freshish acidity, fruity, elegant texture, creamy, lovely balance, good length. 88-90

2017 Château Valandraud

APR 18 Ruby. Scented, red berries, fruity, floral, minerals, layered, nuanced, stunning nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, detailed, layered, nuanced, playful, stunning balance. This might be leaner than expected and maybe wanted for Valandraud fans, but this is still one incredible wine. 97-99

2016 Château Valandraud

AUG 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, blueberries and anise, some spices and liquorice, layered and deep nose, some minerals beneath it all. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and spices, liquorice, layered and nuanced, rich and dense yet refreshing. Long. 97

2016 Château Valandraud

MAY 19 Ruby. Scented, dark fruity, anise, layered, detailed and nuanced nose, intense and tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, layered and deep, nuanced, long finish. 97

2016 Château Valandraud

JUN 17 Ruby. Anise, spices, dark fruity, blueberries, detailed, liquorice, scented nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, detailed, spices, anise, blueberries, layered and playful, long. 96

2016 Château Valandraud

APR 17 Deep ruby. Blackberries, fruity, dark berries, spices, anise, coffee and vanilla, rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries and spices, anise, detailed, nuanced, ripe, rich and long. 94-96

2016 L'Interdit de Valandraud

APR 17 Deep ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruity, dark berries, some minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, fruity, anise, blackberries, elegant texture, long. 91-93

2016 Virginie de Valandraud

APR 17 Ruby. Blackberries, spices, anise, ripe nose, dark berries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, raspberries, good length. 88-90

2016 Château de Valandraud blanc

APR 17 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, pears, grapefruits and vanilla nose. Leaner. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, lemons, spices, elegant, some citrus in the finish. 88-90

2016 Virginie de Valandraud blanc

APR 17 Pale lemon yellow. Grapefruits, vanilla, ripe citrus nose. Freshish acidity, fruity, rounded, elegant. 85-87

2015 Château Valandraud

AUG 19 Ruby. Rich, blueberries and spices, liquorice and blackberries and vanilla. Intense and layered, deeper nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and liquorice, richer and denser, intense, deep and layered, long. 96

2015 Château Valandraud

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity, intense and rich nose, detailed yet incredibly rich at this stage. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, spices, rich, dense and detailed, long. 96

2015 Château Valandraud

APR 16 Deep ruby. Dark fruits, ripe, rich, intense nose. Blackberries, tobacco, minerals, floral notes far back, anise and chocolate. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, dark berries, some spices, juicy yet structured, long. 94-96

2015 Virginie de Valandraud

APR 16 Deep ruby. Dark fruits, spices, intense nose, ripe, coffee and blackberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, spices, long. 90-92

2015 3 de Valandraud

APR 16 Deepish ruby. Dark fruits, ripe, intense, rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, dark berries, juicy. 87-89

2015 Blanc de Valandraud

APR 16 Pale lemon yellow. Some peach, pears and grapefruits nose. Fresh acidity, rounded, smooth texture, fairly fresh, long. 89-91

2014 Château Valandraud

AUG 19 Ruby. Rich and dark fruity nose, blueberries and spices, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, liquorice and some red fruits. A bit herbal far back. 92

2014 Château Valandraud

JUN 15 Deep ruby. Ripe dark fruits, intense, sweet liquorice, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, lively, fruity, sweet and playful, long. 94-95

2014 Virginie de Valandraud blanc

JUN 15 Pale lemon yellow. Apples and lime, fresh nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, rounded, elegant, lemony, good length. 88

2013 Château Valandraud

AUG 19 Ruby. Blueberries and spices, liquorice, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and spices, good length. 89

2013 Château Valandraud

JUN 17 Ruby. Blackberries, spices, fruity, detailed, anise, nuanced and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, spices, detailed, long. 93

2013 Château Valandraud
APR 14 Ruby. Dark fruits, coffee, plums and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity, rounded, refreshing finish, long. Elegant and detailed Valandraud. 90-92

2013 Château Valandraud blanc
APR 14 Pale lemon yellow. Some citrus and yellow fruits nose, tender feel to it. Fresh acidity, lively, fresh and fruity, quite elegant, could have been longer. 89-91

2013 Virginie de Valandraud blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Minerals, fresh, pure, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, lively, fresh, elegant texture, good length. 88

2012 Château Valandraud

AUG 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, blueberries and spices, blueberries jam, quite a bit of wood. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and liquorice, some vanilla, long. 91

2012 Château Valandraud

JUN 15 Ruby. Dark fruits, ripe, intense, layered, fruity, anise and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, intense, playful and detailed, juicy, long. 94

2012 Château Valandraud

APR 13 Black. Rich, scented, floral and towards sweet nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fairly elegant, nuanced if rich. 90-92

2012 Virginie de Valandraud

JUN 15 Ruby. Ripe dark fruits, intense, spices and exotic notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, somewhat sweet, long. 90

2012 Virgine de Valandraud

APR 13 Deep ruby. Fruity and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant if a bit rich. 87-89

2012 3 de Valandraud

JUN 15 Ruby. Dark fruits, some vanilla and spices, light scented note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rounded texture, good length. 88

2012 Château Valandraud blanc

JUN 13 Pale lemon yellow. Grapefruits and vanilla nose. Rich, fruity, fresh acidity, intense, almost creamy, long finish. 90

2011 Château Valandraud

AUG 19 Ruby. Blueberries and anise, some minerals, dark fruity, spices, liquorice and faintly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries, anise, liquorice, rich and fruit driven with some minerals beneath, long. 94

2010 Château Valandraud

AUG 19 Deep ruby. Dark fruity, vanilla, spices, liquorice, blueberries and blackberries, vanilla and coffee with some chocolate notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries, rich and intense, spices, rich, nuanced and long. There is quite a bit of alcohol and ripeness, but also complexity and layers. 95

2010 Château Valandraud
JAN 14 Deep ruby. Cassis, blueberries, vanilla, intense nose, deep and fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, bit biting texture, sweet at 15% alcohol, but at this very fruity stage it seems to balance more or less, not so sure when it settles down in a few years. 93

2009 Château Valandraud

AUG 19 Deep ruby. Liquorice, anise, spices, rich, vanilla, blueberries and blackberries, lots of fruit. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, liquorice and blueberries, rich and intense, long. 94

2009 Château de Valandraud

JUN 13 Deep ruby. Dark fruits, rich and scented, spicy and thyme nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe and intense, balanced and long. Decanted for three hours. 93

2009 Valandraud Blanc No 1

JUN 15 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, grapefruits and minerals nose, bit tight. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, fresh, some vanilla and spices, good length. 89

2008 Château Valandraud

AUG 19 Ruby. Coffee, vanilla, blackberries, rich and dense nose, a bit jammy. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and liquorice, quite a bit of alcohol, long. 92

2008 Château Valandraud

MAY 11 Deep ruby, vanilla, sweet tobacco and some dark fruit. I'm not sure if Valandraud still does the 200% new oak treatment, meaning they put the wine in new cask's twice, once a year or so, before bottling! Because there is a lot of wood here, not on the texture, and that’s remarkable, but on the nose and flavours. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, also some alcohol showing in the finish. Hopefully there is some more fruit hiding in the forest that will come out some day and shine on its own. There is more refinement, and the quality of the fruit seems impeccable, than in most wines, it's just seems to be wrapped in the wrong paper. It's like receiving a Hermes scarf, and the gift paper is cardboard. For now, 86-92

2007 Château Valandraud

AUG 19 Ruby. Blueberries and vanilla, some spices, rich and coffee, chocolate nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and sweet, liquorice and vanilla finish, long. 90

2007 Virginie de Valandraud

JUN 13 Deep ruby. Coffee, spices and dark fruits on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, balanced, good length. 88

2006 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Ruby. Blueberries and anise, spices, liquorice and ripe fruits, quite intense, and very youthful. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, some herbs, dark fruits, vanilla and spices, tight, quite showy 2006 tannins here. 92

2006 Château Valandraud
FEB 12 Deep ruby, huge nose for Bordeaux, ripe, blueberries, still feels tighter and fresher than most Valandraud's I've tasted. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, balanced, some coffee in the finish, long. 93

2005 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, blueberries and spices, vanilla and liquorice, richer nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and spices, liquorice, richer and denser, a bit sweet, long. 94

2004 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Ruby. Blueberries and anise, some spices and liquorice, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, vanilla and spices, this is a bit more edgy, long. 91

2004 Château Valandraud

MAY 11 Dark ruby, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant fruit, more elegantly textured and structured than the nose suggests, needs time still. Some sweetness in the finish pulls the impression down, is it too much alcohol? 90

2003 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Ruby. Blueberries and anise, some spices, liquorice, some spices and coffee nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, some spices, lighter bodied and quite structured from wood. 92

2003 Château Valandraud

SEP 15 Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, vanilla, figs, and cinnamon nose, not that intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, juicy, ripe, spicy and detailed, quite rich, intense and long. 94

2002 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Ruby. Anise, some spices, leaner nose, some herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red berries, anise, spices, leaner, good length. 89

2001 Château Valandraud 

Ruby. Dark fruity, blueberries and some red fruits nose, scented, detailed, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and anise, some spices, long if narrower finish. 92

2000 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Ruby. Blueberries, liquorice, rich and intense nose, some spices, vanilla, layered and rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, some spices, liquorice, vanilla, structured and still firm. Long finish. This needs time. 95

1999 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, scented, some vanilla nose, a bit leaner. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, bit hollow mid palate, which makes it feel more woody than it should be. Long. 91

1998 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Ruby. Blueberries and anise, scented, elegant and nuanced nose, lovely fruit, detailed. Liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, red berries and spices, liquorice, long. 95

1998 Château Valandraud
NOV 11 Ruby, fresh, plums, blackberries, even if on the ripe side, vanilla, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant with answer in hand. 91-92

1997 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Ruby, thin garnet rim. Red berries, anise, some figs and dates, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, light bodied, red fruity, bit woody, good length. Leaner but has some freshness to it. 88

1996 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Ruby, garnet rim. Blueberries, some liquorice, figs and dates nose, chocolate and coffee, vanilla and burnt notes behind. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, some liquorice and spices, quite woody, long finish. The wood is not quite as disturbing as in the 1995, but it is there. 91

1995 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Ruby. Rich, dark fruity, blueberries and spices, rich and intense nose, vanilla. Some floral notes behind. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red berries and spices, some elegant notes. There is some wood disturbing the fruit her still. Drying finish. This is very woody. This might dry up completely leaving only wood and tannins. Right now, I rate it 90, but it might not stay at that level. 90

1994 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Ruby, thin brick rim. Dried fruits, some anise, some tobacco nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, some wood and structured, drying out in the finish. 86

1993 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Ruby, thin brick rim. Anise, blueberries, some figs and dates nose. Deeper, more wood. Lightly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark berries and spices, leaner, good length. At its very best. Has a very short window. 89

1992 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 Corked. 

1991 Château Valandraud 

AUG 19 1280 bottles made. Ruby, brick rim. Anise, liquorice, leather, faint minerals notes nose. Some blueberries behind. Leaner but quite attractive nose. Fresh acidity, soft tannins, some anise, vanilla, some spices, leaner body, some leather notes, good length. 87