Chateau Valandraud - Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2003 (1.5L)
Price: $399.99
| Producer | Chateau Valandraud |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Subregion | St Emilion |
| Varietal | Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Vintage | 2003 |
| Sku | 671192 |
| Size | 1.5L |
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Wine Spectator: 93 Points
Intense aromas of blackberry, chocolate and spice. Full-bodied, with firm tannins and loads of fruit. Long. Spicy and chewy. This has guts. Structured. Best after 2010. 1,000 cases made.
Wine Advocate: 93 Points
The home property of Jean-Luc Thunevin, the inspirational spirit for Bordeaux?s garagiste movement, is Valandraud. The 2003 is a full-bodied, powerful St.-Emilion offering up notes of espresso roast, chocolate, sweet currants and cherries, and hints of minerals as well as cedar. Expressive and pure, with copious tannins lurking behind the cascade of fruit and glycerin, this wine requires 2-4 years of bottle age, and should drink well for two decades or more.
Stephen Tanzer: 92 Points
Impressive ruby-red color. Lively aromas of violet, mint and licorice, further lifted by a mineral component. Sweet, silky and nicely delineated, with little of the roasted aspect of the year. (The pH is a reasonable 3.7 without acidification, says Jean-Luc Thunevin.) Finishes with lovely sweetness and thickness (the wine is close to 15% alcohol), with a layer of sweet tannins saturating the palate. This would be better for a few years of patience and should last for a couple of decades.
