Valandraud - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016

Jeb DUNNUCK

98

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/17/2026

An ultra-classic, more elegant style that reminds me of a more finesse-driven 2010, the 2016 Château Valandraud has crème de cassis, crushed stone, graphite, liquid violets, and leafy herbs all shining on the nose. It's full-bodied on the palate, with a focused, incredibly pure and polished mouthfeel where its purity, precision, and elegance are just about off the charts. It's clearly drinking well today, a decade after the vintage, but it's youthful, vibrant, and just at the early stages of its prime drinking window. It should have another 30 years of overall longevity. Drink 2026-2056.

Vinous

94

byNeal Martinthe6/9/2026

The 2016 Valandraud is surprisingly closed on the nose despite rigorous aeration, black plum and violet scents emerging with time. Gentle grip. Succulent on the palate, this feels rounded and opulent, spice box and white pepper with a tingle of spice on the finish. A modern sheen, but still quite delicious. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's Ten-Year-On tasting.

Jamessuckling.com

98

byJames Sucklingthe2/6/2026

The ripe plum, tobacco, cigar box and earth aromas are more evident than the fruit notes. The palate shows concentrated dark fruit and focused yet silky tannins. Full-bodied yet sleek and elegant. Drinkable now with aeration. but still needs time. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.

Vinous

96

byNeal Martinthe8/13/2020

The 2016 Valandraud is inky black in color. It has a very pure, precocious bouquet of intense black cherries mixed with cassis and blueberry, but after a couple of minutes’ aeration it develops more refinement and harmony. The palate is medium-bodied, offering supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, gentle grip and great precision on the persistent finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Jancis Robinson

17,5

byJancis Robinsonthe2/5/2020

Yvesbeck.wine

97

byYves Beckthe3/20/2019

Pourpre violacé. Bouquet intense et complexe aux notes fruitées et minérales. Valandraud révèle toute la richesse et la complexité du plateau calcaire avec des notes de craie, de café et de baies noires. Au palais, le vin est compact, racé et doté d'une belle tension, qu'il doit également à son terroir. Un vin fin, séduisant, convaincant avec une finale persistante. Une très grande réussite avec de belles tensions. Pour ma part, une des plus grandes réussites de Valandraud. Finale persistante. 2024-2051 97/100

Jeb DUNNUCK

98

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/1/2019

Including 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Merlot-dominated 2016 Château Valandraud is a brilliant example of this cuvée that should match or exceed the incredible 2015 at maturity. Brought up all in new oak, its deep purple color is followed by a powerful bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, smoked earth, and hints of earth. Possessing full-bodied richness, thrilling purity of fruit, ripe tannins, and just about perfect balance, it's another tour de force from the incredibly talented Jean-Luc Thunevin. It's slightly more elegant than the L'Interdit de Valandraud cuvée and will benefit from short-term cellaring and cruise for two decades or more.

Wine Spectator

96

byJames Molesworththe2/5/2019

This is a full display of fruit, with raspberry preserve, plum reduction and creamed boysenberry notes streaming through in lockstep, while light bramble and singed vanilla accents happily take a back seat throughout. An echo of chalky minerality at the very end adds refinement and length. Best from 2022 through 2038. 2,583 cases made.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

98

byJames Sucklingthe2/4/2019

Incredible perfumes and beauty with ripe plum and berry character, as well as an array of spices, such as nutmeg and cinnamon. Full-bodied, firm and silky with beautifully polished tannins. Rendered and defined. A wine with lovely, classy nature and personality. One of the best Valandrauds I have tasted at this stage. Try from 2026.

Vinous

96

byNeal Martinthe1/24/2019

The 2016 Valandraud offers an exquisite bouquet of pure dark cherry and crushed strawberry scents mixed with pressed flowers and hints of spice. The medium-bodied palate is harmonious and silky-smooth, with supple tannin and just a touch of black pepper and cedar toward the persistent finish. Jean-Luc Thunevin has crafted a supremely gifted Saint-Émilion.

Vinous

97

byAntonio Gallonithe1/21/2019

The 2016 Valandraud is exceptionally beautiful. Powerful and explosive in the glass, the 2016 is superb today. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, spice, espresso, leather and smoke add layers of nuance. One of the things I like most about Valandraud in 2016 is the combination of fruit richness and vibrancy. Those elements make for a stunning, punchy Saint-Émilion that hits all the right notes. This is a fabulous showing from Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud.

Wine Spectator

96

byJames Molesworththe1/16/2019

This is a full display of fruit, with raspberry preserve, plum reduction and creamed boysenberry notes streaming through in lockstep, while light bramble and singed vanilla accents happily take a back seat throughout. An echo of chalky minerality at the very end adds refinement and length. Best from 2022 through 2038. From France.—J.M.

Wine Advocate

96

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe11/30/2018

The deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Valandraud packs a wallop on the nose with bombastic scents of baked black plums, cherry compote, coffee beans and licorice plus hints of hoisin, cedar chest and sautéed herbs. Full-bodied, rich and decadent in the mouth, it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and a fantastically long finish.

Bettane & Desseauve

96-97

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Magnifique constitution, raisins d’une maturité accomplie, sans lourdeur, tannin harmonieux, longue persistance, un modèle !

Wine Advocate

95-97

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 Chateau Valandraud is a blend of 10% Cabernet Franc and 90% Merlot picked between 5 October to 15 October for the last Cabernet Franc, delivering 14.5% alcohol, less than in 2015. It has a very mineral-driven bouquet thanks to the limestone soils (please refer to the January 2017 issue of Wine Advocate where I examine the terroir of Valandraud). The palate is succulent on the entry with fine tannin, crisp and focused with superb definition, a little more finesse than the 2015 last year with a slightly confit-like finish that grips the mouth. It will require five or six years to really mellow and shave off those edges, but this will be a seductive 2016 from Jean-Luc Thunevin.

Vinous

94-97

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

The 2016 Valandraud is fabulous. Rich, exotic and plush on the palate, it exudes raciness in all of its dimensions. Sweet toasted oak, crème de cassis, raspberry jam, spice and floral notes all run through the 2016. Even with all of its richness, it remains light on its feet for such a big wine, especially as it opens up in the glass. There is plenty of depth and concentration, that is for sure, but the 2016 also retains freshness as well as energy, with a good deal of tannin underpinning the fruit. Quite simply, this is a stellar Valandraud.

Wine Enthusiast

96-98

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. The wine is ripe and opulent, packed with great fruit and a solid core of tannins. It is superbly structured, yet fruity, with both firm tannins and ample acidity assuring its future. It is a fine wine for the long term.

Wine Spectator

96-99

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2017

This has a display of drop-dead gorgeous raspberry, boysenberry and blackberry confiture flavors unfurling from its core, backed by flamboyant anise and black tea notes. It’s rich, polished and seriously long. And then there’s a light twinge of chalky finesse at the very, very end to keep it grounded.—J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

97-98

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

Fantastic core of dark fruit with blackberries, blueberries, licorice and crushed stones. Full body, beautifully polished tannins and a long and energetic finish. Pinpoint. Superb.