Château Valandraud - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017 6b11bd6ba9341f0271941e7df664d056

Le Point

16 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018

Fruits rouges, vanille, bonne bouche soyeuse, serrée, tendue, joli fruit, gourmand, pointe de sucrosité. La prise de bois le durcit en finale

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-97 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018

Unquestionably up with the crème de la crème of the vintage, the 2017 Valandraud boasts a ripe, fabulously sexy bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, black cherries, violets, and loamy earth. About as pleasurable, rounded, and expansive as it gets in the vintage, this full-bodied Saint-Emilion has a stacked mid-palate, sweet tannin, and a great finish. I was able to taste this cuvée on two separate occasions and absolutely loved it both times.

Vinifera

94 / 100

byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018

Boisé bourguignon, qui précède une bouche ample et souple dans le développement, ne se révélant vraiment qu’en son centre, avec une motricité et une salinité qui passe devant le bois pour lui donner de l’élan et du dynamisme. C’est long et juteux. Très belles impressions de terroir sur la finale. Un des meilleurs Valandraud goûté !

Vinous

93-96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018

A majestic, sumptuous wine, the 2017 Valandraud has so much to offer. The interplay of the rich red and raspberry fruit along with elements of underlying tension give the 2017 explosive energy to balance its natural sumptuousness. Hints of rose petal, mint and licorice develop in the glass, but it is the wine' vibrancy that is most compelling today. The 2017 Valandraud is exceptionally beautiful. I won't be surprised if it turns out even better than this note suggests. Sadly, production is down to around 25,000 bottles from the more typical 40,000 or so.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

Subaqueous in color, the wine effortlessly performs an aromatic dance of black cherry, plum, licorice and vanilla. Round, soft and plush, the wine is full bodied, concentrated, fleshy and tannic. Give this five to seven years for everything to percolate

Vinous

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 Valandraud was 30% impacted by the frost on the lower reaches of vines, which were either deselected into the troisième vin or sold off. The wine was picked from 10 October and then sporadically over the next week, relatively late. It is matured in 100% new oak as usual. It has a very intense, voluptuous bouquet with layers of crème de cassis, boysenberry and blueberry fruit, a little glossier than I was anticipating, what you might call a “ravishing” nose. The palate is full-bodied with saturated tannin, rounded in texture with layers of black cherry, blueberry and cassis fruit. This is a bold Valandraud that shrugs off the effects of the frost and goes full-throttle towards the finish whilst maintaining sufficient freshness and tension that it never palls in the mouth.

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018

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.

Decanter.com

93 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018

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.

Drinking Window 2025 - 2038

WeinWisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/25/2018

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17,5 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/17/2018

Wine Enthusiast

95-97 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018

Bold tannins and rich fruit combine to give this wine a dense structure, yet with a great sense of freshness. Black currants and a firm tannic backdrop promise excellent aging potential. It's impressively structured and should be held until 2025.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018

A solid and structured young red with plenty of polished tannins and a juicy finish. Flavorful and focused.

Wine Spectator

93-96 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018

Gorgeous blackberry, boysenberry and raspberry compote flavors flow out from the core, enveloping the apple wood, anise and black tea frame as they move. Offers a gorgeous feel, ample depth, lovely polish and fine underlying acidity throughout. A terrific effort.—J.M.