2017 Valandraud, St-Émilion (Pre-Arrival)

A blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in new barrels, the 2017 Chateau Valandraud is up with the creme de la creme of the vintage. Killer notes of creme de cassis, graphite, white flowers, and violets all emerge from the glass, and this beauty has a wonderful sense of purity, full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It opens up beautifully with time in the glass and is a remarkable effort in the vintage. Give it 3-4 years if you can and enjoy any time over the following two decades. (2/2020)

Intense, ripe dark plums and berries with graphite and stones, as well as fresh, cedary oak. This has powerful yet very seamless and intense fruit presence with a very concentrated array of ripe dark plums and rich, assertive fruit, which builds smoothly on the finish. Impressive poise here. A blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. (1/2020)

Château Valandraud 2017 Saint-Émilion. Initially this wine seems massive. But as it opens out, it shows its balanced, perfumed side. Ripe black fruits are evened out by the wine’s concentration and richness. In turn the acidity and the smoky flavors give it depth and potential. *Cellar Selection* (RV) (1/2020)

This is ablaze with cassis, cherry preserve and blueberry reduction flavors that ripple with energy, inlaid with graphite, anise and Lapsang souchong tea notes. The long finish displays a luxurious feel, with a subtle underlay of chalky minerality. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. (JM) (3/2020)

The deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Valandraud gives up crushed blackcurrants, chocolate-covered cherries and espresso on the nose with hints of licorice, tar and smoked meats. The palate is medium-bodied with a solid frame of ripe, sweet tannins and just enough freshness to contain the bombastic fruit, finishing long and berry-laced. (LPB) (4/2018)

They have done a very good job of finessing this wine while still remaining true to their new philosophy of turning the volume down from 11. A highly enjoyable wine with genuine juiciness through the mid-palate, with the most beautifully fleshy texture of raspberry and blackberry. A touch of sweetness at the close of play makes this extremely appetising, and this is without doubt an excellent Valandraud. (JA) (4/2018)

The 2017 Valandraud is very deep in colour. The nose is very intense with black cherries, blueberry, fig jam and black olive compote, nicely defined but perhaps intending to close down for two or three years. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, fleshy tannins. There is a mixture of red and black fruit laced with black pepper and truffle, sweet and velvety towards the precocious finish that you might mistake for a 2018. Very sensual, but afford it several year in bottle. (NM) 93+ (2/2020)

Very dark, black core. Sweet and perfumed, rich in black fruit and a hint of violets supported by oak's sweet spice. Full in the mouth, compact tannins but lots of fruit at the core. Dense and generous at the same time. Needs plenty of time. (JH) (4/2018)