2014 Chateau Valandraud Virginie de Valandraud
France / Bordeaux / Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Rouge
Virginie de Valandraud, a second wine ready to spar with the greats, from Château Valandraud classified Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé B.
Virginie de Valandraud was created in 1992 and named after the wine enthusiasts Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud’s daughter, Virginie.
Since the extension of the vineyard, from the vintage 1997, Virginie de Valandraud has its own identity. Vines come from the same plots and wine making is treated with the same care as Château Valandraud.
Because of the constant excellency of wine’s quality, Virginie de Valandraud is often considered to be the second wine of Château Valandraud Premier Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Emilion.
Wine Enthusiast tasting notes 93/100 (January 2017): "Made from a separate parcel of the Valandraud estate, this is a fruity, ripe wine. Dark tannins and flavors of dark chocolate combine with great fruit and acidity. It is still packed with tannins and will take plenty of time to come round. Drink from 2024".
Robert Parker Wine Advocate/Neal Martin tasting notes: "The 2014 Virginie de Valandraud was surprisingly closed, when I tasted it, although there is a sense of coiled up energy here, as if to say, come back in a couple of years. The palate is mediumbodied with ripe tannin, a keen thread of acidity, surprising backbone and body with a vibrant, mineral-rich finish. This has great potential, but I would be wary of opening it too soon".
Wine Spectator/JM tasting notes: "Lovely, with an open-knit, flattering display of plum sauce and creamed raspberry notes infused with light anise, cocoa, and fruitcake hints. Ready to go. Drink now through 2026. 5,417 cases made".
James Suckling tasting notes 94/100: "The blueberry, blackberry, and stone aromas are impressive in this second wine. Full-bodied, dense and very polished with an ultra-fine tannin structure. Beautiful as a young wine but will be superb in 2021".
Blend:
70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ratings vintage 2014:
- James Suckling: 94/100.
- Le Guide Hachette des Vins: 1 Star.