Chateau Valandraud 2016

A Premier Grand Cru Classé B of Saint-Émilion, Château Valandraud is renowned for its modern, concentrated style and exceptional precision. It reveals aromas of black cherry, blackberry, cassis, violet, graphite, cedar, dark chocolate, espresso, and baking spice. Powerful yet beautifully refined, it delivers velvety tannins, vibrant freshness, extraordinary depth, and an exceptionally long, age-worthy finish.

Food Pairing: Pair with beef Wellington, Wagyu steak, roast lamb, duck breast, venison, black truffle dishes, aged Comté, or braised short ribs.

98 Points - James Suckling

The ripe plum, tobacco, cigar box and earth aromas are more evident than the fruit notes. The palate shows concentrated dark fruit and focused yet silky tannins. Full-bodied yet sleek and elegant. Drinkable now with aeration, but still needs time. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.

97 Points - Wine Enthusiast

Juicy, spicy and with wonderful fruit, this is developing splendidly. With black-currant flavors and tannins that give structure while allowing plenty of room for the fruit and balanced acidity, it is certain to age well. Drink from 2025.

96 Points - Wine Spectator

This is a full display of fruit, with raspberry preserve, plum reduction and creamed boysenberry notes streaming through in lockstep, while light bramble and singed vanilla accents happily take a back seat throughout. An echo of chalky minerality at the very end adds refinement and length. Best from 2022 through 2038. 2,583 cases made.

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Valandraud packs a wallop on the nose with bombastic scents of baked black plums, cherry compote, coffee beans and licorice plus hints of hoisin, cedar chest and sautéed herbs. Full-bodied, rich and decadent in the mouth, it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and a fantastically long finish.