Virginie de Valandraud - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

Château Valandraud, the dream came true

Château Valandraud is the main achievement of a couple of wine lovers, Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud. Château Valandraud was born in 1991 on a 0.6 ha vineyard bought with all the couple's savings. This small vineyard bought with all the couple's savings. This small vineyard is situated in the fongaban valley, in the Pavie Macquin/La Clotte neighbourhood and this is where "Valandraud" comes from: Val (valley) + Andraud (Murielle's family name, which appears on the Saint Emilion's registery since 1459). The 8.88 ha vineyard is now fully based on the clayey-limestone hills and slopes of Saint Etienne de Lisse

Named after Murielle Andraud and Jean Luc Thunevin’s daughter, Virginie, this cuvée was created in 1992 as the 2nd wine of Château Valandraud.
Since the 1997 vintage, with the expansion of the Thunevin vineyards in the Saint Emilion appellation, Virginie de Valandraud has had its own vineyards and its own identity while being cultivated in the same way and vinified in our cellars by the same technical team as Valandraud.

The 2021 vintage

Virginie de Valandraud 2021 is full of the charm of its red fruit aromas. Its delicacy and liveliness place it among their finest successes.

Wine Spectator

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2023

A direct offering, with a mix of singed mesquite and warmed plum reduction notes, which are backed by dark tobacco and warm earth accents on the finish. A touch woodsy in the end, but solid enough. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2023 through 2031. 10,000 cases made.

Jeb DUNNUCK

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/30/2023

The 2020 Virginie De Valandraud is another total charmer. Black cherries, redcurrants, loamy soils, and tobacco are just some of its nuances, and it's medium-bodied, soft, and forward on the palate, with terrific fruit. Drink bottles over the coming decade or so.

The Wine Cellar Insider

byJeff Levethe3/22/2023

Crushed rocks, licorice, black plums, smoke, espresso, truffle and flowers create the nose. The palate is rich, full-bodied, supple and packed with waves of sweet, creamy, black and dark red fruits finishing with a blast of milk chocolate and spice. With length and intensity, it is hard to believe this is a second wine. Drink from 2024-2035.

Wines Critic

byRaffaele Vecchionethe3/10/2023

Very mature and captivating in the primary matrix showing notes of black prunes, blackberries, ripe strawberries, pine needles, sage, marjoram and a lot of vanilla. Full bodied, smooth and precise noble tannins, complex and enveloping. Better from 2025.

Vinous

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

The 2020 Virginie de Valandraud is alluring, just as it was from barrel. Silky and wonderfully deep, the Virginie possesses tremendous depth and textural intensity. Black cherry, plum, leather, licorice, menthol and gravel fill out the layers nicely. This sleek, polished Saint-Émilion is an absolute winner.

Vinous

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Virginie de Valandraud has enhanced its paradoxical Médoc profile on the nose with tobacco and pencil box infusing the black fruit. This is well-defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied and carries the 100% new oak at the moment, but it is nicely proportioned with an almost caressing finish. Stylish and very cleverly crafted by Jean-Luc Thunevin.

Jamessuckling.com

byJames Sucklingthe1/16/2023

Aromas of blackberries, walnuts, dark chocolate, and currants follow through to a medium body, with very fine, soft and polished tannins and a delicious finish. Very attractive now but will improve beautifully. Second wine of Valandraud. Needs four to five years to soften. Better after 2026.

TASTED

byAndreas Larssonthe7/6/2021

High ripeness with plum, fig and blackberry notes, a hint of oak and toast. Good volume, rather rich in tannin, still with a firm bite but no hard edges, unctuous dark fruit notes with balanced acidity fine oak integration and a long dense finish.

Wine Advocate

91-93

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe7/1/2021

Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Virginie de Valandraud charges out of the gate with bold baked plums, boysenberries and blackberry pie scents, followed by hints of mocha, cedar chest, clove oil and dried Provence herbs. The full-bodied, oak-laced palate is rich and concentrated, the dense black fruits countered by wonderful freshness and plush tannins, finishing long and spicy.

Vinous

93-95

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Virginie de Valandraud is a serious wine endowed with real depth. Broad and ample in feel, it has so much dimension. Bright red berry fruit, spice, rose petal and cedar add an attractive aromatic upper register; I very much like the sense of energy here. Pretty floral and savory notes perk up the finish. All the 2020 needs is a bit of time in bottle. I suspect it will age well based on its brightness.