2025 Valandraud

Auslieferung bis zum Herbst 2028!
Delivery until Fall 2028!

(Saint-Émilion; 84% Merlot; 7% Cabernet Franc; 9% Cabernet Sauvignon; 14% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting at the Cité du Vin). This is an easy pick and it's very distinctive, with the intense florality that is so often the signature here supported and underscored, as again it so often is here, by a little oak sweetness and spice. That's now a rarer thing, even more so in this low alcohol vintage, than it used to be and I almost feel a little nostalgic! Candlewax, incense, violet, patchouli, candle smoke, damson and black cherry. This is beguilingly beautiful but in a slightly seductive and hedonistic way - a little different from the more hauting beauty of some other of the very top wines of the appellation. There's a place for both. I love this equally.
95-97/100 Colin Hay

In a dry and hot vintage like 2025, encountering such concentrated and powerful Château Valandraud naturally brings a moment of tension. Its nature is already assertive; set against a vintage of equal force, the question of balance inevitably arises. I had my doubts. Yet once the wine touches the palate, it becomes clear that these two forces have found their rhythm. The abundance of tannins is gathered into a single, well-ordered structure, rising like a wall, dense yet precise. Beneath it, the salinity from the limestone and the vibrant acidity support the palate, giving the tightening tension a release. On the finish, a clear and direct saline note quietly emerges, marking the first time I have experienced such a distinct expression of terroir in this wine. It is worth mentioning that part of the vineyard was allocated to Virginie de Valandraud in this vintage, with 10% foudre introduced for the first time; it is through these deliberate choices that the palate has been gradually refined, gaining both order and composure.
95-97/100 Alexandre Ma

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Valandraud storms from the glass with powerful notes of preserved plums, baked black cherries, and cedar chest, followed by suggestions of sandalwood, camphor, and crushed rocks. The medium- to full-bodied palate is filled with decadent black fruit preserves flavors, framed by firm yet velvety tannins and crisp tension, finishing very long and opulent. Classic Valandraud that won’t disappoint fans.
95-97/100 Lisa Perrotti-Brown

As ever with Valandraud, this has impressive depths and concentration. Inky colour, sea spray aromatics, high sandalwood oak on the nose that it is completely eaten up on the palate, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, powerful iris and violets, estate signature, with breadth and depth of flavour. 90% new oak, plus 10% new oak casks. Marie and Jean-Christophe Lefévère (of Sansonnet) now are the official owners of Valandraud, as of this vintage. This is a great wine and a clear potential upscore in bottle. 3.5ph, 20% less than usual in terms of plot selection, 36hl/h yield.
95/100 Jane Anson