Valandraud - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2019 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48

Vinous

97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2022

The 2019 Valandraud is sensational. Stunning in its delineation and with sheer energy, the 2019 dazzles right out of the gate. Dark red/purplish berry fruit, mocha, new leather, licorice and lavender all come alive in the glass. In 2019, Valandraud is a towering, statuesque wine that captures all the best the vintage had to offer. I tasted the 2019 three times and it was magnificent on all three occasions. It is a tremendous effort from Jean-Luc Thunevin and his Murielle Andraud. What a wine! 97+

Vinous

97 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/17/2022

The 2019 Valandraud remains deep in color and yes, the bouquet marches out of the glass with its upfront, precocious aromas of black cherry and boysenberry fruit, plus touches of pressed violet crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied, complex and harmonious, with fine, very supple tannins, a keen line of acidity and a slightly creamy-textured finish. As I mentioned in my previous note, it belongs within the top tier of Right Bank wines in this vintage.

Wine Advocate

95-97 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe7/15/2020

Deep purple-black colored, the 2019 Valandraud sings of freshly crushed black plums, warm blackberries and black cherry coulis with nuances of lavender, cinnamon stick, clove oil and aniseed with a fragrant waft of candied violets. Full-bodied, the palate is both densely laden with concentrated black fruits and wonderfully refreshing, with a firm backbone of velvety tannins, finishing with lingering exotic spice sparks.

WeinWisser

19 / 20

the7/7/2020

Bettane & Desseauve

95-96 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe7/3/2020

17,5-18

Vinous

95-97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe6/18/2020

A regal, statuesque wine, the 2019 Valandraud dazzles from the very first taste. Deep, beautifully textured and expansive, the 2019 races across the palate with stunning energy and pure vibrancy. Dark plum, espresso, chocolate, licorice and menthol are some of the many aromas and flavors that build in the glass. A wine of notable power and explosive richness, Valandraud is truly magical in 2019.

Jeb DUNNUCK

96-98 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/18/2020

The grand vin 2019 Château Valandraud knocks it out of the park, and this more elegant vintage plays to this cuvée's strengths, giving it beautiful purity and balance paired with its natural richness and depth. Deeply hued with stunning notes of crème de cassis, toasted spices, incense, violets, and orange blossom, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a plush, sexy texture, awesome tannins, and a monster of a finish. Despite being a rich, powerful wine, it's flawlessly balanced and just classic Saint-Emilion. It's going to keep for 25-30 years.

Vinous

96-98 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/16/2020

The 2019 Valandraud is deep purple in color. It storms out of the glass with bold black cherries, boysenberry and faint scents of violet, extremely pure and seductive, the new oak seamlessly integrated. The palate is imbued with a sorbet-like freshness on the entry. The multi-layered dark cherry and plummy fruit is underpinned by a killer line of acidity. The finish feels pixelated to the n'th degree. This is a formidable wine from Jean-Luc Thunevin and ranks amongst the very best Right Bank wines of this vintage.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-97 / 100

byJeff Levethe6/10/2020

Deep dark red with purple accents in its hue, the wine provides a beautiful freshness to the ripe, sweet, juicy cherries, espresso and licorice. Not as powerful or as concentrated as some recent vintages, instead you discover more, energy, refinement, elegance and purity in the lingering fruits. 95-97 Pts

Jean-Marc QUARIN

95 / 100

byJean-Marc Quarinthe6/5/2020

Couleur sombre, intense, pourpre et belle. Nez très aromatique, avec un fond de fruits noirs et d'épices. Moelleux à l'attaque, dense au développement, plutôt parfumé, le vin se développe à la fois plein et juteux, sur des saveurs truffées et une tannicité parfaitement
enrobée. Bonne longueur sèveuse. Assemblage : 90 % merlot, 7 % cabernet franc, 3 % cabernet sauvignon.
Degré d'alcool : 14°5 – pH : 3,6. 2026 – 2050.

Yvesbeck.wine

97-98 / 100

byYves Beckthe6/5/2020

90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon Pourpre violacé dense. Le bouquet de Valandraud est bien marqué par son terroir, au travers de notes crayeuses, et par son élevage avec des notes de caramel et de café. Au fil des minutes le fruit et la fraîcheur
gagnent en expression et prennent le dessus avec des parfums de griottes, de cassis et de menthe. La minéralité, de manière filigrane, ne manque pas à l'appel au travers de craie et de graphite. En bouche le vin est élégant, crémeux et précis. Que de sérénité et de force
contenue grâce à une bonne symbiose entre des tannins très fins, parfaitement intégrés, et la fraîcheur de la structure qui donne du pep et de la vivacité à l'ensemble du palais. Finale fruitée et rafraîchissante grâce à la tension calcaire. Un vin qui se distingue par sa fraîcheur, sa finesse et sa sérénité. Quelle notion de force tranquille ! 2025-2049

Jamessuckling.com

97-98 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe6/4/2020

Extremely polished and refined red with structure. It's full-bodied, yet ever so refined and balanced. The tannins are very fine-grained. Chewy, yet energetic and precise. Tight and integrated at the end.