2019 Valandraud (St-Emilion)

Right from the first nose you get deep, richly textured plum fruit, with nuances of chocolate shavings and baked earth. Pencil lead through the mid palate combines the restrained tug of limestone with the confidence of a wine that knows how to make an impression. This is great stuff, really well controlled, carefully but still exuberantly extracted, and one that you would be extremely happy to own. This is the last year in the old winery, with the fancy new one built into the St Emilion hillside, opening as of 2020. A yield of 40hl/ha. 100% new oak. 97 points

90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barrel sample. Deep purple-black hue. Modern and exotic with dark fruit and spice notes. Lots of extract, the palate full, round, plush and gourmand. Big, chewy tannins but bound by the fruit and the whole in balance. Good length. 17 points