Chateau Valandraud 2015

Chateau Valandraud 2015 – 98-99 Pts JS, 95-97 WA

12×75 – £1,100 EP

6×75 – £550 EP

IG Wines offer a choice of bottling for en primeur orders, see below.

En Primeur Expected Spring 2018 

Chateau de Valandraud is one of the highest scoring wines of the 2015 vintage, awarded the same score as Angelus by Neal Martin, with a superb 95-97 and just closely behind its 96-98 scoring St.Emilion neighbour Pavie. James Suckling goes further, awarding it 98-99 points, calling it ‘The greatest Valandraud ever.’

The good news is that is has been released today for £1,100 per case of 12, which is likely to be more than half the price of Pavie and Angelus. Moreover, Valandraud’s 2015 price offers a tantalising discount to its other great vintages. The 96 scoring 2009 trades today at £1,700, the 97+ scoring 2010 £2,200 and the 97 scoring 2005 £2,000. The 2015 is set to equal or surpass these mighty vintages, making its discount on release hugely appealing for investment. Particularly interesting from an investment and collector’s perspective is its low production, Valandraud makes less than 1,500 cases a year! To put this in perscpective Angelus produce 10,000 cases. There is little question Valandraud will be sold out by lunchtime. In two years’ time, once this bottled, we can expect the price to have corrected to be more in line with the similar scoring 2010, for now it costs 50% less.

Valandraud is a young Estate, dating back to 1989 when Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud purchased a very small premium 0.6 hectare plot of vines next to Pavie Macquin and La Clotte. They have since increased the size of the property which now covers 10 hectares. The Estate’s name comes from a combination of the location of the vines, Vallon ‘Val’ de Fongabon, and the last name of Murielle Andraud, chief winemaker.

In recognition of the amazing wines the Estate hve been producing, Valandraud was upgraded to Premier Grand Cru Classes B in 2012, putting it alongside some of the greats of St Emilion, including La Mondotte, Pavie Macquin, Figeac and Troplong Mondot. In fact, only 14 of the many great Estates in St Emilion have this accolade. Valandraud is an Estate which continues to go from strength to strength and as such offers a very attractive vintage premium.

In 2015 the wine ss made up 85% of Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Neal Martin describes it as having ‘a glorious and damn irresistible bouquet of crème de cassis, blueberry, crushed violets and a scintilla of citrus fruit, all beautifully defined and very precise.’ James Suckling proclaims it as ‘A joy to taste.’

Also released and available:

• Grand Puy Ducasse 2015, £275, 12x75cl – 90-92 Pts
• d’Armailhac 2015, £300, 12x75cl – 92-93 Pts
• Kirwan 2015, £330, 12×75 – 93-94 Pts
• Beychevelle 2015, £530, 12x75cl – 92-94 Pts
• Fombrauge 2015, £170, 12x75cl – 94-95 Pts
• Gazin 2015, £470, 12x75cl – 96 Pts
• Chasse Spleen 2015 £205, 12x75cl – 94-95 Pts
• Guiraud 2015, £315, 12x75cl – 96-97 Pts
• Coutet 2015, £280, 12x75cl – 94-97 Pts

James Suckling, 98-99 Points  
A fabulous Valandraud with verve and distinction. So much bright blackberry, mineral and dark chocolate character. Full and ultra-silky textured. Powerful and balanced finish. A joy to taste. Purity. Greatest Valandraud ever. 85% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon.

Neal Martin, 95-97 Points  
The 2015 Chateau Valandraud is founded upon Jean-Luc Thunevin’s ever-reliable Merlot parcels, and this year the blend is augmented with 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a glorious and damn irresistible bouquet of crème de cassis, blueberry, crushed violets and a scintilla of citrus fruit, all beautifully defined and very precise. In 2015 it is determined to put a gap between itself and the Virginie de Valandraud. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, creamy in texture but not in the slightest cloying. The acidity is well judged with layers of caressing black fruit towards a finish for which I could only deploy the word – nubile. This will be a stunning Valandraud to savor over the next couple of decades, though it will be difficult to resist temptation in its youth.

To buy this wine please reply to this email or telephone +44 (0)203 195 8055. Offer subject to availability. 

En Primeur – Why buy through IG Wines:

• We only work with the largest and best financed negociants in Bordeaux
• We guarantee delivery of all wines purchased en primeur
• We are owned one third by a large family office and very well-financed
• Since our foundation in 2011 we have grown our client base to over 1,500 private clients in ten different countries

IG Wines offer a choice of bottling for en primeur orders:

• Bottles (12x75cl or 6x75cl) – No Charge
• Halves (12×37.5cl or 24×37.5cl) – £12.00 per case
• Magnums (6x150cl or 3x150cl) – £7.00 per case
• Double Magnums (3 x 300cl) – £50.00 per case
• Imperials (1 x 600cl) – £25.00 each

To buy this wine click here.