Château de Valandraud - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe3/2/2018

 The 2015 Valandraud has a very perfumed bouquet, quite feisty in the glass with macerated black cherries, griottes, blueberry jam and graphite. It feels impenetrable at the moment and constitutes one of the most opaque Valandrauds that I have encountered just after bottling. The palate is smooth as satin on the entry: well-judged acidity, neatly integrated new oak, quite rich but well balanced with a sumptuous blackberry and cassis finish that lingers in the mouth. This is a classy offering from Jean-Luc Thunevin, although it deserves several years in bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2022 - 2045. 

Vinous

97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/27/2018

A gorgeous, arrestingly beautiful wine, the 2015 Valandraud delivers on all the promise it showed as a barrel sample, and then some. Soft contours and layers of sumptuous fruit add to its considerable appeal. Readers will have to give the 2015 at least a few years to develop aromatic complexity. Today, the wine's off-the-charts intensity and opulence are attention-grabbing, to be sure, but the best is yet to come. This is a superb showing from Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud. The 2015 is 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, all fermented in barrel.

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe2/22/2018

The 2015 Valandraud is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with a profound nose of baked cherries, warm black plums, blueberry preserves and smoked meats with tilled earth, mocha, Indian spices and dried herbs nuances plus a touch of licorice. The mouth is big, full-bodied and powerful with notable, velvety tannins and it is packed with savory and spice flavor layers, finishing with epic length. This big-boned, voluptuous, Rubenesque beauty will blow hedonists' minds!

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/15/2018

Melted licorice, plum sauce and blackberry puree notes flow through here, with ample but velvety structure running underneath. Alluring ganache, violet and tobacco accents add nuance on the finish. Long and beguiling, featuring echoing fruit and a captivating mouthfeel. Drink now through 2035. 3,417 cases made.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

98 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/12/2018

Plenty of toasty oak and extract here. This has immensely concentrated fruits with powerful yet silky tannins. Blackberry and dark-plum aromas dominate the nose with hints of dark chocolate and candied orange. Flavors follow suit amid fluid, muscular tannins that hold long into the finish. Great wine. Try from 2023.

Jeb DUNNUCK

99 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe11/30/2017

Vinifera

5 / 5

the5/31/2016

Nez sur les épices orientales, les fruits noirs, la boîte à cigare. Superbe vin, dense, parfumé, trame serrée, longue finale épicée.

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/30/2016

Inky in color, with purple accents to the rim, this wine has an amazing effect on your mouth and your mind with its concentrated display of sensuously textured, ripe, dark plums, spice, smoke, licorice, incense and espresso bean. Silk, purity and freshness create the finish. Using 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5%, Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached a pH of 3.6. The harvest took place October 1 to October 12.

Wine Advocate

95-97 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2016

The 2015 Chateau Valandraud is founded upon Jean-Luc Thunevin's ever-reliable Merlot parcels, and this year the blend is augmented with 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a glorious and damn irresistible bouquet of crème de cassis, blueberry, crushed violets and a scintilla of citrus fruit, all beautifully defined and very precise. In 2015 it is determined to put a gap between itself and the Virginie de Valandraud. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, creamy in texture but not in the slightest cloying. The acidity is well judged with layers of caressing black fruit towards a finish for which I could only deploy the word - nubile. This will be a stunning Valandraud to savor over the next couple of decades, though it will be difficult to resist temptation in its youth.

Bettane & Desseauve

18-18,5 / 20

the4/28/2016

Grande couleur, corps complet, tannin harmonieux, de loin le plus intégré à la matière et le plus élégant du secteur proche de Castillon, remarquablement élaboré.

Decanter.com

94 / 100

byJames Lawther MWthe4/28/2016

85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ripe, bright and dense dark fruit and spice aromas. Layered fruit on the palate with a real vibrancy – lots of energy. Texture smooth and velvety and tannins extremely fine. Persistent finish. Tension as always but with ripe tannins and generous fruit to give it harmony. 2023-2040

Vinous

93-96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/27/2016

Deep, and beautifully layered, the 2015 Valandraud offers fabulous richness to match its seamless, alluring personality. Crème de cassis, blackberry jam, spice, licorice, menthol and lavender give the 2015 much of its unctuous feel. Silky tannins help reinforce an impression of opulence. As always, Valandraud is one of the most exotic, intense wines in Saint-Émilion, and yet, all the elements are very nicely woven together. The 2015 is 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, all fermented in barrel. Tasted two times.

Jancis Robinson

16,5 /

byJancis Robinsonthe4/26/2016

Bordeaux 2015 - St-Émilion and satellites | Articles | JancisRobinson.com New label. Very dark crimson. Almost roasted nose seems rather vieux jeu. Salty and sweet. Pushed to the limit. Sweet and sour impression. Not one of my favourite styles but I'm sure it will find favour with some palates. Awfully demanding and dry on the end. Though it certainly is concentrated. Drink 2025-2040

timatkin.com

91 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/20/2016

Wine Enthusiast

97 / 100

the4/15/2016

96–98. Barrel Sample. This is a sumptuous wine, with dark tannins and powerful fruits. It is concentrated and dense, with sweet acidity, fine spice and luscious berry flavors that are framed by fine, lasting tannins.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/14/2016

Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez aromatique, au fruité frais et mûr. Bouche pleine et ample, mais que j'attendais moins austère en finale dans ce millésime. Bonne longueur.

René Gabriel

19 / 20

the4/10/2016

Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Enorm intensives, Konzentration anzeigendes Bouquet, viel Brombeeren, Edelhölzer, Malz und Kräuternoten und nicht zu vergessen; sehr viel Cassis. Im Gaumen bleibt er schwarzbeerig, wartet aber - trotz verlangender Adstringenz - mit reifen und sehr feinen Tanninen auf, erst gegen das dunkelmalzige und lakritzenhafte Finale zeigend sich dann doch noch Gerbstoffe, welche nach recht vielen Jahren Flaschenreife verlangen. Ich denke, das wird ein möglicherweise unterschätzter Spätzünder und hat dann dafür ein entsprechendes Lagerpotential. 19/20 2025 – 2050

Jamessuckling.com

98-99 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2016

A fabulous Valandraud with verve and distinction. So much bright blackberry, mineral and dark chocolate character. Full and ultra-silky textured. Powerful and balanced finish. A joy to taste. Purity. Greatest Valandraud ever. 85% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon.

Wine Spectator

94-97 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2016

Displays beautiful fruit from the start, with cassis, raspberry and boysenberry notes moving together seamlessly, carried by a polished structure through the caressing finish. Seriously pure.—J.M.