Region: St. Emilion, Burgundy, France

Vintage: 2019

Composition: 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, and 1% Carmenère

History: Chateau Valandraud is represented by the passion of a couple: Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud. Following the great success with the wine merchant business in Saint Emilion, they opened their own vineyard to produce their own wine. In 1989, they bought a small parcel of 0.6 hectare (1.48 acres) located in a small valley near Saint Emilion between Pavie-Macquin and La Clotte. The origin of the wine name is as much geographic (Val: Vallon de Fongaban), as sentimental (Andraud: Murielle’s maiden name). Thus Chateau Valandraud was born. Little by little, Jean-Luc and his wife purchased several other parcels of vines, and now, the domain represents a total surface of 10 hectares (24.71 acres), located in various areas of Saint Emilion. The diversity of soils and varietals permit the production of 6 different wines: Chateau Valandraud, Chateau Valandraud Casher, Virginie de Valandraud and the 3 de Valandraud (the second wine of Chateau Valandraud and Virginie de Valandraud), Blanc de Valandraud N° 1 and N° 2. The final blending of the various parcels occurs in the month of March, following a blind tasting with the help of the world famous oenologist, Michel Rolland.

Tasting Notes:

“The Virginie de Valandraud has a very pure bouquet, precise and elegant as usual, with precocious dark cherry and crème de cassis scents merged with violet petals. The oak here is nicely in sync. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, chalky tannin over-layered with surprisingly minerally dark berry fruit that dovetails into a long spicy finish.” – The Wine Advocate