2024 Ch Valandraud Grand Cru Classé, St-Émilion

DUE NOV 2027

This shows smoky black cherries, damson plums, pine and violets. Bright and acid-driven with almost full body, fresh, polished tannins and a long, mouthwatering finish. A fuller and more concentrated expression for the vintage

96-97 points jamessuckling.com

Based on 85% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Château Valandraud is aging in 100% new oak and checks in at 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.5. It offers terrific depth and richness, with a deep color and focused cassis, dark berries, spicy oak, and graphite aromas. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's beautifully textured, with fine tannins, impressive mid-palate density, and a seamless finish. You can safely put this up with anything in the vintage.

94-97 points jebdunnuck.com

There are very few wines in this vintage where you see these grilled, smoky aromatics that are backed up by fruit, but Valandraud delivers, and here you feel that owner Jean-Luc Thunevin stepped in and said, keep going, I want a Valandraud that I recognise. There is still acidity, but it is shaped into austerity and sapidity, with slate tannins, good quality plum and damson fruits. Estate signature, with ageing ability. Harvest 26 September to 7 October, 3.5pH. 100% new oak. Jean-Philippe Fort and Alexandre Béra from Rolland Consultants. Less leaning in to the vintage than railing against it, and there is clear oak here - but it works.

94 points janeanson.com