2006 Château Valandraud St. Émilion Grand Cru Bordeaux France Wine Tasting Note
12253 Views
2006
Château Valandraud (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
With an hour of air, the wine started to soften and display aromas of licorice, espresso, black cherry, boysenberry and truffle. There is a polish to the fruit coupled with a sense of purity that I liked, but the wine is on the structured, beefy side of the style range, which is typical of many 2006 Bordeaux wines. More time will add complexity and softness to the wine. 4,747 Views Tasted Jun 12, 2013Licorice, smoke, chocolate covered cherries, vanilla and plum create the perfume. Silky, opulent and approachable, this polished, fleshy vintage of Valandraud is already fun to drink. 3,838 Views Tasted Aug 5, 2012According to the owner, Jean-Luc Thunevin, this vintage marks the return to producing a more plush, opulent style of Valandraud. Focusing no riper fruit with with lower yields, this wine opens with scents of oak, ripe black fruit and exotic citrus accents. A long, spice filled finish ends with broad shouldered, but soft tannins. 3,668 Views Tasted Jul 3, 2008 |
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.