Château Valandraud 2020 (Double-Magnum)

Wineadvocate

Opaque purple-black colored, the 2020 Valandraud bursts with scents of crushed black plums, boysenberries and blackberry preserves, followed by hints of dusty soil, garrigue and clove oil. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a lot of energetic, crunchy black fruits with a lively backbone and beautifully ripe, rounded tannins, finishing long and fragrant.

Vinous

The 2020 Valandraud is a stunner. Rich, deep and explosive, the 2020 possesses dazzling intensity from start to finish. Silky tannins wrap around a core of plush dark red/black fruit, licorice, spice, mocha and new leather. Even with all of its intensity, the 2020 is bright and wonderfully focused. Sweet floral and blood orange accents liven up the explosive finish. Magnificent. (Drink between 2028-2060) - AG 02/2023

Beck

Imaginez une rencontre, une découverte. Il y a d'un côté une certaine sérénité, car vous en avez vécu quand-même, et puis il y a des palpitations, car l'on découvre ou redécouvre. Et un peu de mystère est toujours captivant. Commençons donc par l'élevage, le début d'une seconde vie : après la vigne, il y a le chai. Les premiers traits de caractère apparaissent, ceux qui surpassent l'élevage, ceux qui feront le fond du vin. Valandraud 2020 présente une savante symbiose entre fraîcheur, élevage et maturité. Plutôt suave en attaque, le vin affiche de l'ampleur et du tempérament. La structure acide prend lentement le dessus pour mener le charme de Valandraud vers une fusion énergisante. Le vin brille de sa pluralité de son aptitude à captiver tous les sens, de ses ambitions vers l'excellence, de cette magie fusionnelle. Que de beauté et d'amour dans ce vin ! Il faut savoir écouter son coeur, il a bien plus de raisons que notre cerveau. 2026-2045 - YB 01/2023

Suckling

Very opulent and expressive aromas of black fruit and pine needles. So floral. Full-bodied with plush, velvety tannins and lots of fruit and texture. It goes on for minutes. Rich at the finish, but remains fresh and vivid. Superb. One of the great Valandrauds. Drink after 2027. - 12/2022

Dunnuck

e of the wines of the vintage is Jean-Luc Thunevin's 2020 Château Valandraud, which comes from the cooler, eastern side of Saint-Emilion. Exhibiting a dense purple hue as well as an incredible perfume of crème de cassis, ripe black cherries, violets, new leather, and an almost Hermitage-like burning embers character, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ripe, seamless tannins, remarkable purity of fruit, and a finish that won't quit. A blend of 85% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it's clearly in the same league as the 2019, if not slightly more concentrated. Give bottles 5-7 years in the cellar, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 20-25 years or so. - 03/2023