Surprising given how dark and powerful the Virgnie de Valandraud is (the 2nd wine of Valandraud). I have tried the 2nd wine some time ago and found it too tar like to be enjoyable. However, found this on sale in Oddbins in the UK for 26 GBP. Thought I would give it a go and this is drinking really well. Colour is brick like and lighter than I was expecting - a little musty looking in the glass, although this could be because it was shook up a bit on the commute home. The nose is earthy, with sweet fruit underneath - mellow, not overpowering. The flavour is of sweet fruit with a lot of complexity - some truffle and pepper. The wine really tasted like it needs to be drunk now but overall very good. Maybe a little expensive but I would buy another bottle for Christmas dinner.
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Very pleasant surprise. Slight character of tobacco leaf, balanced with plum fruit, medium bodied, medium tannins ... a nice second-label garagiste, not for long-term aging but for enjoying over the next couple years.
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12/3/2007 - pjaines wrote: 88 Points
Surprising given how dark and powerful the Virgnie de Valandraud is (the 2nd wine of Valandraud). I have tried the 2nd wine some time ago and found it too tar like to be enjoyable. However, found this on sale in Oddbins in the UK for 26 GBP. Thought I would give it a go and this is drinking really well. Colour is brick like and lighter than I was expecting - a little musty looking in the glass, although this could be because it was shook up a bit on the commute home. The nose is earthy, with sweet fruit underneath - mellow, not overpowering. The flavour is of sweet fruit with a lot of complexity - some truffle and pepper. The wine really tasted like it needs to be drunk now but overall very good. Maybe a little expensive but I would buy another bottle for Christmas dinner.
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3/1/2007 - bingedrinker wrote: 90 Points
Very pleasant surprise. Slight character of tobacco leaf, balanced with plum fruit, medium bodied, medium tannins ... a nice second-label garagiste, not for long-term aging but for enjoying over the next couple years.
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8/24/2006 - trankin wrote: 87 Points
Jean-Luc Thunevin Dinner (Chanterelle, NYC): Nose of sweet earth and plums. Rounded, with great fruit, but rather simple. A bit too much oak for my taste.
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2/2/2006 - dougsmith wrote: 90 Points
An Evening with Jean-Luc Thunevin (Triomphe Restaurant, NY): Deep ruby color. Nice nose of herb and spice with red fruit flavors. On the palate good full fruit flavors with soft tannins. This is a wine to drink now.
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