Château Valandraud - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012

Vinous

94 / 100

le 31/01/2016

Vinous

94 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 15/01/2016

The 2012 Valandraud hits the palate with gorgeous depth. A powerful, racy wine, the 2012 boasts remarkable intensity and structure for the year. Mocha, bittersweet chocolate, plums and dark spices open up, but above all else, in this vintage, Valandraud is a wine of structure. This is one of the few 2012s that absolutely needs several years in the cellar. A broad frame of tannin supports the deep finish. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Stated simply, Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud have crafted one of the wines of the vintage. Drinking window 2018 - 2032.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2015

A tribute to the partnership of Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud, the 2012 Valandraud is a magnificent wine and one of the superstars of the vintage. Inky purple, with notes of white chocolate, crème de cassis, blackberry fruit and lively background minerality, it has great precision, acidity, sweet tannin and a voluptuous full-bodied mouthfeel. It is very vigorous, young and backward, but bursting with unbelievable potential. This is a fabulous effort from perfectionists Andraud and Thunevin. Thunevin, the father of the “garagiste” movement in St.-Emilion, usually fashions this wine from a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, from 11 acres sprinkled throughout the appellation. Drink it between 2020-2035.(95+)

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

par James Suckling le 15/02/2015

Beautiful nose showing candied black cherries with floral and chalky notes. Lots of dark fruits. Full body, soft tannins, good acidity and long, fruity finish. Refined style of Valandraud. Better in 2017.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

par James Molesworth le 10/02/2015

This is well-endowed, with thick, velvety layers of crushed fig, boysenberry and blackberry fruit that meld with racy graphite notes. Lots of licorice root and alder accents line the finish, giving the fruit a textural contrast. The length lets everything sail on. A beauty. Best from 2017 through 2030. 1,250 cases made. –JM

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

le 07/01/2015

This is well-endowed, with thick, velvety layers of crushed fig, boysenberry and blackberry fruit that meld with racy graphite notes. Lots of licorice root and alder accents line the finish, giving the fruit a textural contrast. The length lets everything sail on. A beauty. Best from 2017 through 2030.—J.M.

timatkin.com

93 / 100

par Tim Atkin MW le 30/06/2013

Jean-Luc Thunevin dropped his price considerably in 2012, but he says this a response to market conditions rather than a reflection of wine quality. It’s typically oaky and concentrated as a young wine, with a hint of over-ripeness, robust tannins and lots of dense, black fruits. Give it time. Drink: 2022-32

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91-94 / 100

par Ian D'Agata le 30/06/2013

(100% merlot):  Opaque, fully saturated, practically impenetrable inky-ruby; this may be the darkest wine of the vintage.  Deep, brooding aromas of dark berries and cherry are complicated by herbs, graphite and licorice.  Chewy, rich flavors of cassis, plum, flint and herbs.  The extremely long finish coats the palate with youthfully chewy yet noble tannins.  Great stuff.  It may surprise some that Valandraud this year is 100% merlot, but insiders know that the 2007 version was also made entirely from merlot.  Thunevin didn't feel that the cabernet franc was ripe enough to go into his top wine in 2012, so he put it all into the Virginie de Valandraud--which is actually a fairly remarkable wine too, so his cabernet franc couldn't have been that bad.  This is one of my favorite wines of the vintage.

Le Point

16,5-17 / 20

par Jacques Dupont le 16/05/2013

Fruits rouges, de l'éclat, tendu, frais, gourmand, boisé présent mais vin raffiné, élégant, en finesse, assez croquant. O= 2017 G= 12 ans

Asian Palate

90 / 100

par Jeannie Cho Lee MW le 15/05/2013

Intensely concentrated with a wonderful array of black fruits with sense of heaviness. There is firm acidity in the background and the flavours are fresh and lively. The texture is fairly thick with layers of tannins and fruit that will need years to come together. Wait until after 2020 to enjoy this serious red for long term aging.

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

par Neal Martin le 06/05/2013

Now sporting its Premier Grand Cru Classe strip, the 2012 has a very controlled, focused bouquet with pure blackcurrant, cassis and boysenberry aromas that are well defined, perhaps less opulent than recent vintages. The palate is ripe and generous on the entry. The tannins gently grip the mouth and it rises to a suave, vanillary finish with plenty of ripe red berry fruit that will absorb the oak during its élevage. Sublime. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

93-96 / 100

par James Molesworth le 30/04/2013

This is beautiful, with gorgeous linzer torte, blackberry confiture and anise notes gliding along, infused with black tea, singed spice and perfectly integrated apple wood notes. The long, suave finish drips with fruit. A great showing. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

17 / 20

par Matthew Jukes le 30/04/2013

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17 / 20

par Jean-Marc Quarin le 29/04/2013

Belle couleur vive, sombre et pourpre. Nez fruité et parfumé. Bouche finement moelleuse à l'attaque, fondante au développement et raffinée dans son toucher évoluant puissante et juteuse. Belle finale longue et savoureuse avec du parfum pour le millésime. Une belle réussite.

My Bettane + Desseauve

17,5 / 20

le 27/04/2013

Les arômes expressifs de fruit noir cassissé précèdent le développement d’un grand corps puissant, au tannin intense mais velouté, à la longueur musclée, voilà assurément un coureur de fond.

My Bettane + Desseauve

17 / 20

le 26/04/2013

Un des grands secs du Bordelais, grande complexité dans les arômes épicés du sauvignon mais construction à la fois mûre, nerveuse et saline, tout à fait originale et plus racée que bien des blancs de la rive gauche.

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

par Julia Harding MW le 26/04/2013

Drink 2017-2032
Fabulous colour of elderberry juice. Restrained but hints at classy fruit. Juicy and dense and yet so fluid. One of the best Valandrauds I have tasted. Firm, dense and yet light on its feet. Fabulous and very long and so much to come. (JH)

Wine Advocate

90-93 / 100

par Robert Parker le 26/04/2013

The flagship wine from Jean-Luc Thunevin and his partner, Murielle, the 2012 Valandraud is a classic St.-Emilion. Its opaque ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of camphor, charcoal, black currants, black raspberries, chocolate and espresso. The oak, acidity and ripe tannin are all well-integrated. Another over-performer from this couple, it should drink nicely for 12-15 years.
Drink: 2013 - 2028

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 26/04/2013

Murielle Andraud has been in charge of the Bordeaux winemaking at the property since 2007. She is clearly on a roll! One of the deepest colored wines of the vintage, truffle, spicy oak, chocolate and black raspberry jam notes are impossible not to notice. Lush, rich and sexy with an opulent, flashy personality, this is one of the top wines from St. Emilion in 2012. 94-96 Pts

Decanter.com

17,5 / 20

le 22/04/2013

100% Merlot from the classified parcels in St-Etienne-de-Lisse. Dense, rich and ripe. A powerful wine with fresh acidity and tight, firm tannins. Slightly drying finish but has all the components and is balanced. 17.5/20pts ( 91/100pts)
Drink: 2019 - 2030

My Bettane + Desseauve

14,5 / 20

le 22/04/2013

Souple, assez gras, dimension correcte.

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

par James Molesworth le 05/04/2013

Suave, featuring a note of just-singed phyllo dough up front, followed by crème fraîche, meringue, tarragon, green almond and verbena flavors. Flattering overall, with a pleasant juicy edge. —J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

91-92 / 100

par James Suckling le 04/04/2013

A dense wine for the vintage with layers of fruit and tannins. Full body, with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Ripe and pretty.