Virginie de Valandraud - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2021

Vinous

90

byAntonio Gallonithe4/2/2024

The 2021 Virginie de Valandraud is a powerful, dense wine. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, spice, new leather and licorice are all dialed up. It possesses quite a bit of richness, but stylistically, the 2021 feels bombastic and a bit pushed. This may be be

Vinous

90

byAntonio Gallonithe2/28/2024

The 2021 Virginie de Valandraud is a powerful, dense wine. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, spice, new leather and licorice are all dialed up. It possesses quite a bit of richness, but stylistically, the 2021 feels bombastic and a bit pushed. This may be better in time, if the tannins soften.

Jamessuckling.com

91

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2024

This has a fragrant nose of chocolate, roasted herbs, walnuts, dried flowers and dark plum fruit. Medium-bodied and polished, with berry-soaked tannins and excellent depth. Delicious already, but better after 2024.

Wine Spectator

88

byJames Molesworththe2/22/2024

Fresh and silky in feel, with pure cassis and black cherry notes inlaid with light anise and apple wood accents. Reveals a touch of smoldering tobacco on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2028. 3,300 cases made, 200 cases imported.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

92-93

byJames Sucklingthe6/8/2022

A medium-to full-bodied red with a plush, ripe yet very balanced core of blue and purple fruit. Nicely textured with fine, creamy tannins. Round and smooth.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-96

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/2/2022

I continue to just love the whites from this family. Their 2021 Virginie De Valandraud Blanc checks in as 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon, and while 2021 is an impressive vintage for the whites, it was slightly more challenging for Semillon, as it's more fragile with regard to frost and mildew. Crushed lime, chalky mineral, and more reductive yet clean, pure notes define the bouquet of this wine, and it's straight, focused, and chiseled on the palate, with good mid-palate depth. I think it's beautiful and will put on weight over the course of its élevage and have a long life.

Bettane & Desseauve

92-93

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/24/2022

Juteux, concentré, avec une belle chair de fruits blancs, ce 2021 avance tout en finesse, délicat et frais. Sa bouche séveuse offre une onctuosité en attaque et une bouche qui possède une belle percussion finale.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe5/16/2022

Medium-bodied, soft, silky and sweet and polished with a core of plummy, dark cherry fruits, chocolate and licorice, along with a minty edge. You can enjoy this early, or age it as well. You can drink this young, or age it for 3-5 years and enjoy it over the following decade. The wine blends 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2023-2036. 91-93

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

91

byJane Ansonthe5/13/2022

Vinous

89-91

byNeal Martinthe5/12/2022

The 2021 Virginie de Valandraud was picked October 3–14 and raised for 18–22 months in new oak. It has a focused bouquet of dark plum, pencil box and light earthy aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, moderate depth, and more red fruit surfacing toward the finish, which has an appealing fleshiness. Fine, and probably earlier-drinking than previous vintages.

Vinous

90-92

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2022

The 2021 Virginie de Valandraud is a gorgeous second wine. Silky, aromatic and gracious, the Virginie is all charm. Crushed flowers, spice, mint and orange zest lift a core of sweet red berry fruit in a mid-weight Saint-Émilion that will drink beautifully with minimal cellaring. The 2021 is just exquisite.

Wine Advocate

89-91

byWilliam Kelleythe4/29/2022

Including parcels that Thunevin is including in his dossier in the upcoming Saint-Émilion classification, the 2021 Virginie de Valandraud exhibits aromas of raspberries, cherries, licorice, violets and plums. Medium-bodied, supple and charming, it's giving and delicate, concluding with a nicely defined finish.

Decanter.com

89

byGeorgina Hindlethe4/1/2022

Succulent and juicy straight away, a rush of bright strawberry and raspberry tones with freshness but also quite a herbal edge - a liquorice tang, black pepper and toasted wood spice gently giving some heat towards the finish. This has lovely clarity, it's lightly framed and a little shy in terms of overt weight on the mid-palate, but the overall flavour is plentiful and this will be easy to drink and enjoy.