BigHammerWines.com

Château De Valandraud is 1st Growth Classified Château in Saint Emilion. This renowned Chateau is owned by Jean Luc Thunevin. Jean Luc was labeled the "Bad Boy" of Bordeaux by Robert Parker years ago. His "garagiste" style is akin to the great technology companies of Silicon Valley that grew up in a garage and disrupted the establishment. Jean-Luc did just that by making the best wines possible and releasing the wines at affordable prices. His efforts have been rewarded with high praise and consistent top scores. 

This controversial Château, which humbly started with only a little more than 1 acre, has grown to more than 21 of acres of vineyards planted with Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauvignon, and Malbec. The estate is located on the clayey limestone terroir of Saint Etienne de Lisse, a beautiful commune in the Gironde. The vineyards are managed under sustainable practices and carefully supervised by vigneron Christophe Lardière and winemaker Rémi Dalmasso.

Virginie De Valandraud has a special place in owner Jean-Luc’s heart. This superb second wine was named in honor of Jean -Luc and his wife Murielle’s daughter, and it was first released back in 1992.

This is not your typical second label. This super second is harvested and produced according to the high standards set forth by the first label, and by the same rockstar team. It's high-quality is out of this world, and it's no surprise that some of the most important wine critics have expressed their high esteem. 

2022 was an extraordinary vintage for Bordeaux, it was blessed with a 97 pt review by Wine Spectator who said: "A beautiful vintage. Merlot berries were small and concentrated; Cabernet Franc also relished the conditions. Wines are very aromatic and sleek, with Pomerol and St.-Emilion excelling"

Aging: 20 months French oak new barrels. 

90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Walnuts, blackberries and roasted spices with a touch of cedar and dark chocolate. Almost full-bodied, this has a flavorful center palate and a dense, lengthy finish. Dusty tannins aplenty. Plush, voluptuous and judiciously made. Drink from 2027. ~95 James Suckling

Based on 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Virginie De Valandraud is a smoking good wine, offering layers of blackberries, currants, tobacco, and chocolate. Full-bodied and rich, it has a deep, velvety texture, terrific overall balance, and serious depth. Vinified and aged 20 months in new barrels, it will evolve nicely for 15+ years with ease. ~94 Jeb Dunnuck

Smells floral and lifted on the nose, pretty and pure, perfumed. Sleek and crisp, gorgeous personality and liveliness, bite and tang but such control and cool freshness. Really such excellent tannins, smooth but giving definition and weight to the palate with creaminess and chalkiness that is so appealing. Feels fairly serious and concentrated but so finessed. A beautiful wine, crunchy, sleek, forward, expressive and so utterly drinkable with freshness and a minty, wet stone, liquorice tang on the finish. Tension is apparent, it's still straight, but there's gorgeous potential. Harvest 12-29 September. Ageing 18-24 months, 100% new oak. 3.7pH. Production: 60,000 bottles. ~94 Decanter

Brilliant quality Virginie, has so much grain and depth, this is one to recommend. Black cherry, saffron, white pepper, sage, mint leaf, espresso, opulent but with fresh juice running right through it. Harvest 12 to 29 September. ~93 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Caressing and forward in feel, this offers up a warm ganache note draped over a core of plum and black cherry preserve flavors, with a subtle tug of earth at the tail end. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2032. 6,000 cases made. ~90 Wine Spectator

***Free Shipping on 12 or More Bottles of This Wine***