Weinwisser
90% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 40 hl/ha, 14,5 % vol., 24 bis 36 Monate in 100 % neuen Barriques, Produktion: 32.000 Flaschen. Undurchsichtiges, schwarzes Purpur mit violettem Rand. Was für ein konzentriertes Bouquet aus Wildkirschen, frisch gepflückten Alpenheidelbeeren und Cassis. Im zweiten Ansatz Holunder, parfümierter Pfeifentabak und frische Kaffeebohnen. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur und sehr verlangenden Tanninen, aber die Frische macht hier den Unterschied, der Wein ist balanciert und trotz der straffen Vinifikation in Balance. Im gebündelten, katapultartigen Finale besticht der Wein mit tiefschürfender Mineralik, herrlicher Extraktsüsse und getrockneten schwarzen Beeren. Ein ganz grosser Valandraud mit einem gewaltigen Lagerpotenzial ausgestattet und sogar einen Tick besser als der überragende 2012, damit gehört er in die Spitzengruppe in St.-Émilion und kann in der perfekten Trinkreife die Traumnote erzielen.
Wine Advocate
Deep purple-black in color, the 2018 Valandraud is still sporting a fair bit of oak on the nose, with the cedary notions giving way to a profound core of Black Forest cake, stewed plums and boysenberry preserves, plus suggestions of espresso, clove oil, unsmoked cigars and charcuterie with a waft of Chinese five spice. The full-bodied palate is jam-packed with rich black fruit preserves, framed by sturdy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and tinged with exotic spices. It will need a good 5-6 years for everything to marry and for the nuances to be fully expressed, then enjoy it over the next 25+ years.
Antonio Galloni
The 2018 Valandraud is every bit as compelling as it was from barrel, maybe more. Power and vertical, with tons of explosive energy, the 2018 dazzles right out of the gate. Inky dark cherry, plum, chocolate, spice, new leather, licorice and chocolate all race across the palate. The 2018 is a wine of tremendous stature that distinguishes itself in a vintage peppered with stunning wines. I would allow for a few years in bottle to help the tannins soften. I loved it.
Verantwortlicher Lebensmittelunternehmer:
SAS Thunevin | 6 rue Guadet BP 88 | 33330 Saint Emilion | Frankreich
Weitere Informationen über das Weingut Chateau Valandraud
Château Valandraud is the achievement reached by a wine obsessed couple, Jean Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud. Once having succeeded in establishing a wine merchant company in Saint Emilion (still up and running), their wish was to own a vineyard and make their own wine. In 1989 they turned their dream into reality by buying a small plot in the Fongaban central area of Saint Emilion, between Pavie-Maquin and La Clotte. The name Valandraud is a pure creation mixing Val (as the 1st plot is based in the Fongaban Valley) and Andraud (family name of Murielle that can be traced back to 1459 in the Saint Emilion registry). Little by little, they bought several plots and now Château Valandraud’s 8.88 ha vineyard is fully based in Saint Etienne de Lisse. The technical team is constantly seeking technical improvements and all processes combine tradition and modernity, from the care of the vineyard to the harvest done by hand, first sorting being done during the hand picking of the ripe grapes. The harvest is then carried to the organic inspired cellar, and the grapes are once more sorted by a Tribaie. The fermentation takes place in different tanks : stainless steel, concrete and wood. Once the alcoholic fermentation is done, the newly born Valandraud goes in oak barrels (100% new for each vintage) to start the malolactic fermentation. The ageing is from then on a game of « wait and see taste » and lasts from 18 to 30 months. The bottling of the wine (non filtreted, non fined) is handled by the team and own bottling group. The success of Valandraud was an inspiration for many and created the infamous appellation known as «garage wines »! Château Valandraud has been promoted to 1st classified growth of Saint Emilion since vintage 2012, 21 years after its creation.
