Chateau Valandraud 2011

Chateau Valandraud 201195 100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate Jean Luc Thunevin's blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc spent 25 months in barrel prior to being bottled. The color is a saturated dense purple and the expressive aromatics include sweet mulberries, black cherries, cassis, spring flowers, chocolate and background oak. Opulent and full bodied, this stunning, seamless classic is a fabulous example of the talents of Thunevin and his partner, Murielle

95 / 100

Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Jean-Luc Thunevin's blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc spent 25 months in barrel prior to being bottled. The color is a saturated dense purple and the expressive aromatics include sweet mulberries, black cherries, cassis, spring flowers, chocolate and background oak. Opulent and full-bodied, this stunning, seamless classic is a fabulous example of the talents of Thunevin and his partner, Murielle Andraud. This 2011 can be drunk now or cellared for 15+ years. Kudos!

Valandraud is painstakingly hand made in new, mainly Seguin Moreau, oak barrels by the guru of the garagistes Jean-Luc Thunevin and his wife Murielle. First produced in 1991 (just 1900 bottles) with the help of Ausone's Alain Vauthier, this was the first of the "Garage Wines" of Saint Emilion and is still the benchmark by which all others are judged. Previously seen as an "outsider", Valandraud was awarded Premier Grand Cru Classé status in the 2012 classification of the wines of Saint Emilion.