Virginie de Valandraud - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

Château Valandraud, un rêve devenu réalité

Fruit du travail considérable d'un couple passionné par le vin, Jean-Luc Thunevin et Murielle Andraud, Château Valandraud est né en 1991 sur une parcelle de 0.6 ha achetée avec toutes les économies du couple. La situation géographique de cette parcelle, dans le vallon de Fongaban, près de Pavie Macquin et La Clotte, est à l’origine du nom « Valandraud » : Val (pour vallon) + Andraud (nom de famille de Murielle qui apparait sur les registres de Saint Emilion dès 1459). Désormais, les 8,88ha qui composent le vignoble sont désormais entièrement situés sur le plateau argilo-calcaire de Saint Etienne de Lisse.

Baptisée du prénom de la fille de Murielle Andraud et Jean Luc Thunevin, Virginie de Valandraud a été créée en 1992 comme 2nd vin du Château Valandraud.
Dès le millésime 1997, avec l’agrandissement des vignobles Thunevin sur l’appellation Saint Emilion, Virginie de Valandraud a son propre parcellaire et sa propre identité tout en étant cultivé de la même manière et vinifié par la même équipe technique que Valandraud.

Le Millésime 2021

Le Virginie de Valandraud 2021 est empreint du charme des ses arômes de fruits rouges. Sa délicatesse et sa vivacité le placent dans leurs plus belles réussites.

Wine Spectator

par James Molesworth le 31/03/2023

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

par Jeb Dunnuck le 30/03/2023

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

par Jeff Leve le 22/03/2023

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

par Raffaele Vecchione le 10/03/2023

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

par Antonio Galloni le 24/02/2023

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

par Neal Martin le 15/02/2023

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

par James Suckling le 16/01/2023

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

par Andreas Larsson le 06/07/2021

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

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 01/07/2021

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

par Antonio Galloni le 01/06/2021

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.