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Valandraud 2006

St Emilion, Grand Cru

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Tasting Notes

Notes of graphite, licorice, espresso roast, chocolate, and black currant liqueur jump from the glass of this dense purple-colored wine. Full-bodied, with a layered texture, superb purity, and depth, this is always an over-achieving estate, and obviously the flagship wine of Jean-Luc Thunevin and his partner Murielle. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026.

Score: 92

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2014-2026 01 February 2009

The structured, pure, focused 2006 Valandraud offers hints of white chocolate, coffee beans, black currants, cherries, and underlying camphor as well as earth. Outstanding ripeness, medium body, and a highly structured, tannic style is broodingly backward at present. It tasted as if malolactic had only recently been completed, so I suspect it will put on weight and perform even better in 3-6 months. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025+.

Score: 90 - 93

Robert Parker, - 01 January 1900

This shows loads of coffee and berry on the nose. Full-bodied, with soft, clean tannins. Round and wonderfully textured. Very clean and well-made. Valandraud is modern and refined.

Score: 92

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2013+ 28 January 2009

There's some good fruit, with hints of violet and mineral. Medium- to full-bodied, with a medium finish.

Score: 89 - 91

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2007

Tasted at Jean-Luc Thunevin’s. A deep purple/ruby colour. The nose is effortlessly pure with great poise: cassis, redcurrants and blueberry with an underlying minerality. Medium-bodied palate that is supple and fleshy with notes of Morello, crushed violets and cranberries. Very pretty and feminine, not as powerful as the 2005, but well-poised and extremely pure and expressive. Tasted April 2007.

Score: 92 - 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 May 2007

Bright crimson. Thick and fresh and a bit angular and not really married - hollow and awkward. Needs a bit of weight and fruit expression in the middle. No kosher cuvée was made this year ‘because I still have four years’ stock to sell’, said Jean-Luc Thunevin. Kosher-keepers, haste ye.

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com 18 April 2007

Jean-Luc Thunevin was the auteur of the garage phenomenon - the first vintage of Valandraud in 1991 sparked a wave of imitators. Rigorous selection in the vineyard, maximum ripeness and talented winemaking result in enormously rich and concentrated wines. Very pronounced toast and espresso on nose. Richly spiced with dark fruits and notes of coffee roast.

Score: 91 - 93

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2007