Valandraud - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2023

Vinous

96

byAntonio Gallonithe3/16/2026

The 2023 Valandraud is such an elegant wine. Soft, supple contours envelop a core of dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, new leather and licorice. Readers will find an incredibly finessed Valandraud—a wine that is more finesse than power. I can’t wait to see how it ages.

Vinous

94

byNeal Martinthe2/1/2026

The 2023 Valandraud is matured entirely in new oak with no sulfites added during the aging, using CO2 to protect the wine instead. This has a little more refinement on the nose than the Virginie de Valandraud, impressive precision and it deftly soaks up the new oak compared to its peers (as it often does). The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, the 8% Cabernet Sauvignon imparting marine-like notes toward the finish. Good backbone, just a bit heady in the final stretches.

Jamessuckling.com

97

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

As always, Valandraud is defined by its concentration, opulence and depth, and 2023 is no exception. Expect masses of ripe but fresh blackberries, licorice, dark chocolate, hazelnuts and some pepper. Structured and full-bodied, with tight, fine-grained tannins and a juicy, intense finish. Glossy and layered, with voluptuous fruit. Modern and extremely long, lasting more than a minute. Big but not heavy. Drink from 2027.

Yvesbeck.wine

96-98

byYves Beckthe5/14/2024

Mit einer Größe von 6,6ha verfügt Valandraud über Weinstöcke mit einem Durchschnittsalter von 22 Jahren. Lehm- und kalkhaltige Böden auf dem Plateau von Saint-Etienne de Lisse. Das Bouquet ist sehr einladend mit seinen intensiven fruchtigen Noten wie schwarze Johannisbeeren und Heidelbeeren, die durch erfrischende kreidige Nuancen ergänzt werden und so eine Art olfaktorische Harmonie bilden! Der Wein ist cremig und lieblich im Auftakt und kann sich seines Terroirs rühmen, das ihm die unerlässliche Energie liefert, um seine allzu verführerischen Tendenzen zu absorbieren! Das Ergebnis ist eine überzeugende Balance, die den Gaumen erfreut und sogar die Geschmacksknospen animiert. Ein schmeichelnder, bezaubernder Wein mit einem Hauch von Salz und Schokolade im Finale.

Jeb DUNNUCK

95-97

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/13/2024

The Grand Vin 2023 Château Valandraud checks in as a blend of 84% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is the most Cabernet Sauvignon ever in the blend. Raised in new barrels, pure cassis, mulberries, spicy oak, chocolate, and graphite are just some of the nuances here, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, yet elegant mouthfeel, fine tannins, and a great finish. It's a big, rich, undeniably sexy wine in the vintage that will be drinkable with just short-term cellaring.

The Drinks Business

95-97

byColin Haythe5/7/2024

Valandraud (Saint Émilion; 84% Merlot; 8% Cabernet Sauvignon; 8% Cabernet Franc; 15% alcohol and 100% new oak; tasted at the UGCB press tasting at the Cité du Vin). Wow! This is so intense. We are really in the parfumier’s boudoir! Violet, violet essence, violet-encrusted ganache forged from the darkest molten chocolate, mocha and black cherries, black forest gateau and a hint of blueberry and cassis. Candlewax too. Plump, soft, dense and packed with crushed black cherries, this is very pure and crystalline given the sheer density of the mid-palate. Very impressive technically and very hedonistic both aromatically in the mouth.

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98

byJeff Levethe5/6/2024

Flowers, black raspberries, licorice, smoke, espresso, black cherries, and chocolate aromas create the complex aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is supple, creamy, and more importantly, energetic, with freshness, and elegant, creamy tannins. Long, intense, and concentrated, yet, light on its feet, the lingering finish keeps on going with its layers of ripe, sweet, fruits, salty chocolate, and espresso notes. Blending 84% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% ABV, 3.5 pH. Harvesting took place September 21 - October 15. Drink from 2029-2055. 96-98 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

95

byJane Ansonthe5/6/2024

Inky depths to Valandraud in this vintage, well constructed, intense sweet liqourice and black chocolate, starts out threatening a more old school feel for this wine, with crème de cassis dominant and high alcohols, but it is given focus and lift as it moves through the palate, with lilting aromatics of red roses, welcome pumice stone tannins, squid ink salinity, and mouthwatering freshness. Skilful, confident, impressive. 100% new oak for ageing, Jean-Luc Thunevin owner at this 10.7ha estate (currently replanting several plots, so 6.6ha in production). 40hl/ha yield.

Vinous

94-96

byAntonio Gallonithe4/30/2024

The 2023 Valandraud is a full-throttle, opulent Saint-Émilion endowed with notable textural richness and tons of intensity. This really feels pushed to the edge, but it pulls back at the very last second. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice and menthol saturate the palate. I imagine that the 2023 will require a number of years to shed some of its baby fat. Harvest took place from September 20 to October 10—on the later side.

Vinous

95-97

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2024

The 2023 Valandraud delivers exactly what you expect on the nose from Jean-Luc Thunevin's crown jewel: very polished scents of black cherries, cassis and crushed violets. One sample had a soupçon of sur-maturité, although another at the château displayed more composure and coolness. The palate is rich and fruit-driven with layers of black fruit. The sample at the château showed more backbone and grip, a healthy sprinkling of cracked black pepper and a long and persistent finish. Give this three to five years, because it is a seriously good Saint-Émilion.

Falstaff

93

byPeter Moserthe4/29/2024

Garnet colour with a deep core, purple reflections. Dark forest berries, liquorice, black cherries, fine herbal savouriness and old wood. Very deep, hints of nougat and nut oil, ripe tannins, chocolatey, opulent style, fine fruit in the finish, impressive but not elegant, some bitter chocolate in the echo.

Alexandre Ma

94-95

byAlexandre Mathe4/28/2024

Jamessuckling.com

97-98

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

Wow, this is really something. Very fruity, with dark blackberries and blueberries, as well as blood oranges. It’s full and layered with great depth of fruit and chewy, polished tannins. Turns lightly salty at the end. Power with precision. 84% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 8% cabernet sauvignon.

Vertdevin

96

byJonathan Chicheportichethe4/24/2024

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

95

byJane Ansonthe4/15/2024

Inky depths to Valandraud in this vintage, well constructued, intense sweet liqourice and black chocolate, starts out threatening a more old school feel for this wine, with crème de cassis dominant and high alcohols, but it is given focus and lift as it moves through the palate, with lilting aromatics of red roses, welcome pummice stone tannins, squid ink salinty, and mouthwatering freshness. Skilful, confident, impressive. 100% new oak for ageing, Jean-Luc Thunevin owner at this 10.7ha estate (currently replanting several plots, so 6.6ha in production). 40hl/ha yield.