2016 Château Valandraud St. Émilion Grand Cru Bordeaux France Wine Tasting Note
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2016
Château Valandraud (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Dark as night in color, the wine is opulent in nature. The dark chocolate, boysenberry, licorice, plum liqueur and black cherries are there for the asking. Full-bodied, silky, long and opulently textured, this sensual wine will be much better with 7-9 years in the cellar. 5,783 Views Tasted Sep 26, 2019Deep, dark, inky in color, the wine is rich, opulent, very concentrated, lush, sweet and intense. The nose, with its licorice, flowers, smoke, chocolate and boysenberry is impossible to ignore. But it is the decadently textured, full bodied, plush palate presence and the long, fruit filled, earthy finish that seals the deal. 3,623 Views Tasted Feb 11, 2019Inky in color, the wine shoots out of the glass with spring flowers, licorice, smoke, boysenberry and cigar box. Rich, fleshy, supple with velvet-textured tannins, the wine is long, concentrated, deep and sweet. The dark fruit, licorice and plum liqueur finish has freshness and length. Made from a blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, reaching 14.5% ABV with a pH of 3.5. The harvest took place October 8 to October 20. 3,844 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 |
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.