Château Valandraud

St-Émilion 2012

• 

  Vintage 2012
  95 points

A tribute to the partnership of Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud, the 2012 Valandraud is a magnificent wine and one of the superstars of the vintage. Inky purple, with notes of white chocolate, crème de cassis, blackberry fruit and lively background minerality, it has great precision, acidity, sweet tannin and a voluptuous full-bodied mouthfeel. It is very vigorous, young and backward, but bursting with unbelievable potential. This is a fabulous effort from perfectionists Andraud and Thunevin. Thunevin, the father of the “garagiste” movement in St.-Emilion, usually fashions this wine from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and the balance Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, from 11 acres sprinkled throughout the appellation. Drink it between 2020-2035.

• 

  Vintage 2012
  94 points

Deep colour. Intense dark cherry, dark plum, cedar aromas. Sweet dark cherry, elderberry flavours, fine sinewy but driving tannins. Builds firm and tight. Muscular but fresh. (Barrel)