1998 Château Valandraud St. Émilion Grand Cru Bordeaux France Wine Tasting Note

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1998 Château Valandraud  (St. Émilion Grand Cru) 93 Coffee bean, black cherry, plum, chocolate and fennel flavors lead to a sensually textured, St. Emilion that is already close to maturity. Coffee bean, black cherry, plum, chocolate and fennel flavors lead to a sensually textured, St. Emilion that is already close to maturity. 4,190 Views   Tasted Jun 14, 2011  • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE | Post to The wine opens with truffle, earth, dark plums, coffee, anise and smoke filled aromatics. This elegant, rich stylish wine fills your mouth with ripe dark berries, licorice and sweet black cherry. Fully mature, this should drink well for at least another decade. The wine opens with truffle, earth, dark plums, coffee, anise and smoke filled aromatics. This elegant, rich stylish wine fills your mouth with ripe dark berries, licorice and sweet black cherry. Fully mature, this should drink well for at least another decade. 4,310 Views   Tasted Jul 12, 2010 The aromatics displayed chocolate covered back and red fruits with an intriguing, light citrus accent. Big, rich, fat, and thick, with a very, sexy palate presence, this wine should add complexity with more time. The aromatics displayed chocolate covered back and red fruits with an intriguing, light citrus accent. Big, rich, fat, and thick, with a very, sexy palate presence, this wine should add complexity with more time. 4,318 Views   Tasted Oct 15, 2008 Big, rich, fat, thick and with a sexy palate presence. This is filled with silky ripe black fruit, licorice, floral and crushed stone elements. Full bodied, balanced and very stylish. Big, rich, fat, thick and with a sexy palate presence. This is filled with silky ripe black fruit, licorice, floral and crushed stone elements. Full bodied, balanced and very stylish. 4,244 Views   Tasted Aug 31, 2007

When to Drink Chateau Valandraud, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Valandraud is much better with at least 8-10 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for 2-3 hours, or more.

This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Valandraud offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 10-30 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Valandraud with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Valandraud is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Valandraud is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Valandraud Blanc

Aside from their red wine, the estate also produces an outstanding white wine, Blanc de Valandraud N° 1 and N° 2. The style of the white wines is unique.

They are filled with lemon, lime, floral, and minerality characteristics, along with ample freshness. But so little is made, they are is impossible to find. In addition, they also produce Valandraud Casher, Virginie de Valandraud, and the 3 de Valandraud which is the third wine of Valandraud, Clos Badon Thunevin, and Bad Boy.

Thunevin also has property in Margaux as well as in Pomerol. Aside from being a busy winemaker and successful wine merchant, and negociant, Jean Luc Thunevin is also a well-known consultant who works with numerous estates in the Left Bank as well as in the Right Bank.

www.thunevin.com