Château Valandraud 2025

Château Valandraud is the Saint-Émilion estate created by Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud, now classified Premier Grand Cru Classé. It is a classic Right Bank Bordeaux blend led by Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, farmed under respectful, sustainable agriculture. Saint-Émilion's mix of clay-limestone and sandy gravel soils gives the wine both density and freshness, the limestone holding water and acidity through warm summers while the clay builds the broad, structured mid-palate. The blend ferments and then ages for 24 months in oak barrels, a long élevage during which slow oxygen ingress through the staves polishes the tannins into a finer texture and layers in spice, vanilla and a toasted, savoury complexity. Malolactic fermentation rounds the acidity and integrates the wood. The colour is deep ruby, almost opaque. The nose is intense and ripe, with blackberry and black plum over dark chocolate, tobacco and sweet oak spice. The palate is full and structured, with firm but ripe tannins and a long, savoury finish carried by the limestone freshness. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted for an hour, in a large Bordeaux glass. Built for roast lamb, beef and game.