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2009 Château Valandraud St. Émilion Grand Cru Bordeaux France Wine Tasting Note

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2009
Château Valandraud  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
96
This is so youthful, it is hard to believe it is already a decade old. Over the years, the wine has filled out, softened and gained in complexity and length. Rich, powerful and loaded with layers of ripe, dark, juicy fruits, licorice and smoke, there is still some oak in the finish that needs to fully integrate. Give it another 3-5 years and the wine will be even better! Quite dark in color, the wine is concentrated, lush and powerful. The nose, with its licorice, flowers, smoke, chocolate and boysenberry is impossible to ignore. The fruit packs a punch with its volume and intensity. The tannins are ripe, the texture is opulent and on the palate the fruit is dense, deep and fresh. But it is the decadently textured, full bodied blast of fruit on the palate that knocks this out of the park.

This is so youthful, it is hard to believe it is already a decade old. Over the years, the wine has filled out, softened and gained in complexity and length. Rich, powerful and loaded with layers of ripe, dark, juicy fruits, licorice and smoke, there is still some oak in the finish that needs to fully integrate. Give it another 3-5 years and the wine will be even better! Quite dark in color, the wine is concentrated, lush and powerful. The nose, with its licorice, flowers, smoke, chocolate and boysenberry is impossible to ignore. The fruit packs a punch with its volume and intensity. The tannins are ripe, the texture is opulent and on the palate the fruit is dense, deep and fresh. But it is the decadently textured, full bodied blast of fruit on the palate that knocks this out of the park.

4,146 Views   Tasted
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This is pure bottled sex! With the texture of spun velvet, silky tannins and fruit that gushes its sweet, juicy flavors, this is not a wine of contemplation. It is a wine that offers pure, unbridled pleasure. Concentrated with perfectly, ripe, sweet, black and blue fruits, there is the right amount of vibrancy to give it lift and life, keeping it interesting.

This is pure bottled sex! With the texture of spun velvet, silky tannins and fruit that gushes its sweet, juicy flavors, this is not a wine of contemplation. It is a wine that offers pure, unbridled pleasure. Concentrated with perfectly, ripe, sweet, black and blue fruits, there is the right amount of vibrancy to give it lift and life, keeping it interesting.

4,937 Views   Tasted
This sexy wine explodes with licorice, espresso, chocolate covered boysenberries, cherry, blueberry and earthy aromas. Pure, opulent and incredibly rich, there is a not a hard edge to be found in this decadent tasting experience.

This sexy wine explodes with licorice, espresso, chocolate covered boysenberries, cherry, blueberry and earthy aromas. Pure, opulent and incredibly rich, there is a not a hard edge to be found in this decadent tasting experience.

5,774 Views   Tasted
A flamboyant nose of licorice, black raspberry jam, spice, pepper, chocolate, blueberry, vanilla and cloves introduce the wine. On the palate, this sensuous wine is dense, rich, concentrated and plush in texture. The wine finishes with layers of licorice, vanilla and blackberry jam. Tasted within days of bottling, once this wine has settled in, it will probably earn a higher score.

A flamboyant nose of licorice, black raspberry jam, spice, pepper, chocolate, blueberry, vanilla and cloves introduce the wine. On the palate, this sensuous wine is dense, rich, concentrated and plush in texture. The wine finishes with layers of licorice, vanilla and blackberry jam. Tasted within days of bottling, once this wine has settled in, it will probably earn a higher score.

4,842 Views   Tasted
2009 Valandraud is deep, dark ruby with purple tints. This pungent wine offers aromas of fresh picked flowers, jammy blackberries, licorice, black raspberries, kirsch, coffee, and black cherries. This Valandraud is a richly textured, full bodied wine concentrated with pure ripe fruit. The long, clean, powerful finish offers freshness, paired with cherry and blackberry flavors. The best Valandraud since the stellar 1995. 95-97 Pts

2009 Valandraud is deep, dark ruby with purple tints. This pungent wine offers aromas of fresh picked flowers, jammy blackberries, licorice, black raspberries, kirsch, coffee, and black cherries. This Valandraud is a richly textured, full bodied wine concentrated with pure ripe fruit. The long, clean, powerful finish offers freshness, paired with cherry and blackberry flavors. The best Valandraud since the stellar 1995. 95-97 Pts

4,898 Views   Tasted

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