Chateau Valandraud 2019

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

Vivid and focused with brightness and clarity of fruit. Dried flowers, too. Full-bodied with layers of fine, soft tannins that spread across the palate and show class and refinement. It goes on for minutes. A beautiful bottle. Try after 2027, but so attractive already.

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Rich and dramatic, the 2019 Valandraud bursts with aromas of berry fruit, plums and licorice, framed by a lavish but far from exaggerated application of creamy new oak. Full-bodied, fleshy and sensual, it's broad and enveloping, its lavish core of fruit framed by ripe, polished tannins and succulent balancing acids. Seamless and integrated despite its ripe, hedonistic style, this has turned out beautifully and has the balance to perform well for at least two decades, even if there's no youthful asperity to preclude near-term enjoyment.

95 Points - Wine Spectator

Richly textured, featuring cashmere-like waves of dark plum, cassis and blackberry compote flavors that glide through and are laced with light violet, anise and black tea notes. The rumble of tannins can be heard on the finish, but for the vintage, this is extremely suave in the end. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2025 through 2040. 2,900 cases made.