Château VALANDRAUD
1er grand cru classé
- 2021
- Saint-Émilion
Self-taught, Jean-Luc Thunevin and his wife Murielle got their start in the Bordeaux vineyards when they bought a tiny 0.6 hectare plot in Saint-Émilion, near Pavie-Macquin. Produced in minute quantities, vinified with the means at hand but with meticulous care, Valandraud soon made a name for itself, to the point of giving rise to the 'garage wine' movement in the 1990s.
Now with a vineyard of almost 11 hectares on the cooler limestone terroirs of Saint-Etienne de Lisse (on the eastern edge of the appellation) and a bioclimatic cellar allowing gravity-fed vinification, Valandraud is now a Premier Grand Cru Classé in its own right.
The 2021 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (Guide 2025): 92/100 “On the palate, the wine is dressed up by the enveloping ageing (the Thunevin touch), and the body is more straight than full.”
Vinous (A. Galloni - December 2023): 95/100 “The 2021 Valandraud is sumptuous, dark and enveloping to the core, even it some of the underlying contours need time to soften. Black cherry, plum, mocha, new leather and spice again intensity in the glass. The rich, heady style is classic Valandraud, tempered by the distinctive qualities of the 2021 vintage.”
- To keep or to drink :
- Wait 3 to 5 years
- Apogée :
- 2027-2042
From the same producer
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The great white wine of Ch. Valandraud, with a sparkling sap and balance. With only 4000 bottles produced, it is a nugget that will do wonders on the table in 5 years (to take advantage of its youthful brilliance) or in 15 years.
A blend of predominantly Sauvignon Gris and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, topped up with Semillon.
The 2019 vintage in the press:
J-M. Quarin (April 2020): 93/100 “Delicate from the moment it enters the mouth and immediately melts, with a beautiful touch and body, the wine stretches out spicy, before bouncing back on the finish, very tasty, beautiful and unapproachable.
Bravo!”More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2030
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With today 11 ha, the vineyard of Valandraud allows Mr. Thunevin to tighten his selections for the great wine and his second, Virginie de Valandraud (there is a 3rd, Clos Badon, and even a 4th wine!). Rich in colour, always delicious with an elegant tannic structure, Virginie de Valandraud makes those who think that second wines have no soul lie.
The 2020 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N.Martin - November 2024): 90+/100 “The 2020 Virginie de Valandraud feels a bit pinched on the nose, without the "flow" of tis peers. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, an attractive velvety mouthfeel and plenty of depth. It closes with a refined finish. If the nose can gain some complexity, this will be very enticing.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2033
-
With today 11 ha, the vineyard of Valandraud allows Mr. Thunevin to tighten his selections for the great wine and his second, Virginie de Valandraud (there is a 3rd, Clos Badon, and even a 4th wine!). Rich in colour, always delicious with an elegant tannic structure, Virginie de Valandraud makes those who think that second wines have no soul lie.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2017-2028
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%