Château de Valandraud was one of the first Garagiste wines with its inaugural vintage being the difficult 1991. Jean-Luc and Murielle Thunevin own a mere 2.7 hectares of vineyards which consist of 4 separate parcels and are planted with 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec.
De Valandraud’s yields are pitifully low and the grapes are de-stemmed by hand before being fermented in 2 open-top fermenting vessels. Malolactic fermentation takes place in oak barrels and the wine is matured in “200%” new oak barriques for 18 months (two sets of new barrels for 9 months each).
De Valandraud produces only about 400 cases a year and, not surprisingly, this very rich and concentrated St-Emilion is now one of the most sought-after wines in Bordeaux.
Taste: This opaque ruby/purple-colored wine is crammed with extract and power. Chewy and thick, with extremely high tannin, and a gorgeous, pure, natural feeling and texture, it is more burly than the classic 1995, but, this personality filled wine possesses purity and flavor intensity.
