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99 Tb points
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Deep purple-black in color, the 2018 Valandraud develops slowly from a base of warm black cherries, blackberry compote and preserved plums with a perfume of sandalwood, Indian spices, lavender, wilted roses, mocha and fruitcake plus wafts of woodsmoke and camphor. Full-bodied, the palate is rich, ripe and flamboyant with tons of opulent black and blue fruit layers, wonderfully curtailed by a firm frame of velvety tannins and f... |
Wine Description
The Story
To say Château Valandraud has an unusual history is a massive understatement. This unique estate was built completely from scratch, fueled by the sheer passion and grit of its self-taught founder, Jean-Luc Thunevin—a former banker and Saint-Émilion wine merchant—and his wife, Murielle Andraud.
Determined to make wine strictly on their own terms, the couple started small, buying a tiny 0.6-hectare plot in Saint-Émilion’s Fongaban valley. Th...
Vintage 2018
Report and recommendations for the 2018 Bordeaux vintage
by Andrew Caillard MW
2018 is an exceptional year. Bordeaux whites and Sauternes are very good, but from an Australian perspective, the excitement is all in the red wines. All sub-regions produced examples of very good wines, but some performed better than others. Generally, the largest estates have made exemplary wines illustrating that the human factor and wealth can have a major...