Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.
 
Tasting note:
This was decanted. Red cherry fruit coupled with raspberry and sweet sugar-coated candy elements. Also dried leaves, a mineral layer of graphite and fine cedar wood. Fresh and linear acidity, firm but ripe tannin, nice presence and good length.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
A wide array of subtle aging notes including sous-bois, fine earthy notes and dried leaves. Flora top notes of dried flowers add lighter contrasts. The fruit is mostly red cherry but with accents of raspberry. Also a green, vegetal touch. A gracefully aged palate with firm tannin, decent acidity and structure.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
A pretty varied fruit profile of cherry with darker accents of plum and ripe raspberry. While there were riper accents, in the end the fruit also had a slightly unripe quality. Whiffs of meat, herbal and earthy base notes. With a bit of air also adding aging features like leather. Fresh acidity on the palate, a rather full body and maybe a tad green tannin, but in good balance overall. Aromatically only hints of age on the palate.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Red cherry fruit with a more prominent herbal layer. Swirling reveals floral top notes. Adding more sweet spice and oak with additional aeration. A young and intense palate with tension and sandy tannin, even if still quite mouthcoating. A structured wine built for the long run.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This was decanted. Intense cherry notes, even a bit of Kirsch, fine savory spice and hints of floral notes. Adding more sweet aromas. A dense palate with grainy, drying tannin. The fruit is sweet and adds a confit feature mid-palate.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.
 
Tasting note:
Ripe cherry fruit, party dark in style. Floral scents, mineral and fine earthy base notes. A pretty tannic palate, lacks harmony and not sure it will get there.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Aging notes o leather, barnyard and a liquoresque fruit. Mineral notes of lead. A dense, ripe and almost viscous palate, sweet and almost chewy. Firm structure and in good balance, too.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Ripe and dark fruit along with dried flowers. This appeared slightly closed maybe but with intensity behind it. Sweet and dense palate, plenty of structure and tannin with good grip. Early days but with clear upside potential.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
A multi-facetted and precise wine. Ripe red cherry fruit, spice and herbal seasoning. Just a whiff of minerality. The palate showed strong presence, a more fresh and lighter fruit. The body is built more around the linear, vigorous acidity. Solid tension leading into a long finish.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
An airy nose with fresh herbal characteristics (similar to 2018), hints of sweet bubble gum. Also mineral notes and just the lightest of leathery aromas. The palate fresh, well-structured but with a somewhat abrupt finish and lacking mid-palate presence.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This was decanted prior to serving. A fresh, ripe and sweet fruit, fine mineral lead notes and sweet oak. Mouthcoating, rustic and wild palate, but with great substance behind it and I’m hence not too concerned. Appears more an untamed beast that will eventually come around. But could take 10+ years easily.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This was decanted prior to serving. A high octane wine, tickling plenty of nerves. While there are aging notes of earth and mushrooms, the intensity and liqueuresque nature mask the red berry fruit. Palate with decent balance, but lacks density and seems to be carried mostly by the alcohol.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This was decanted prior to serving. A red cherry fruit, some heat and hence with a slightly chemical touch. But nice floral accents, earth and mineral layers - but somewhat blurry due to the heat – which was probably hard to pull off in 2017. But the palate is more fresh, even if borderline unripe. Grainy tannins. Tasted better than this note reads!

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This was decanted prior to serving. a spicy peppery element, fresh herbs, a ripe and pretty extracted fruit of cherry, earthy base notes but rather faint. a fresh palate, good presence and adding leather to the decent length finish. the amount of oak adds a rustic and plump element, but otherwise enjoyable and still in check.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Ripe dark cherry fruit, earthy with a bit of charcoal. Dense and structured palate, not yet integrated but with sufficient substance to carry this to the finishing line. Maybe retry in 5 years?

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This was decanted prior to serving. A fresher nose compared to most other vintages. Again rather airy with blurry aromas (similar to 2009). Fresh red cherry, but also with a bit of heat. The palate was pretty wild and struggled to find balance. May improve given enough time.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This was decanted prior to serving. Leathery notes, a mineral base, ripe dark cherry fruit, black tea and dried herbs. Fruit-forward and structured palate with good amount of juice, solid balance and soft texture - even if the tannin still showed a lot of grip. The winner in the vintage vertical – but may yet be bested by the worldclass 2021 which I tasted earlier in the year.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This was decanted prior to serving. Ripe and rather dark cherry fruit, some heat, linoleum or waxy touch and dried rose leaves. Fresh acidity with more heat and still drying tannin. Adds more attractive aging notes of dried leaves with only a few minutes in the glass.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Cherry fruit, leather and barnyard notes but with a slightly chemical touch. Also coffee flavors. Fresh and vibrant acidity as well as a markedly sweet fruit on the palate inject youthfulness and life.

Selected tasting notes from a complete Valandraud vertical (1991-2020) hosted by a collector with an estate representative. Main observation was that both the work the estate did during the transition phase 2000-2012 is clearly bearing fruit in more recent vintages, further helped by warmer growing seasons that are favorable for this cool site in St Emillon. Additional comments included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
An intriguing nose of animal notes and ripe and dark cherry fruit. A fresher fruit on the palate, good tension. Only brief notes, but this was intellectually appealing and unexpectedly pleasant given the vintage.