Virginie De Valandraud 2022 (750ML)

94-95 JS / 92-95 JD / 94 DE / 92-94 VM / 91-93 WI

Racy and fine with very fine tannins and bright, fresh acidity. Medium-bodied, harmonious and energetic. 80% merlot, the rest cabernet franc with a touch of cabernet sauvignon. - James Suckling

The 2022 Château Valandraud Virginie De Valandraud is gorgeous and certainly merits considerable attention, even though the Grand Vin will get all the buzz. A blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in new barrels, it has a vivid purple hue as well as a pure, layered, medium to full-bodied style that's already hard to resist. Cassis, violets, flowers, and graphite define the aromatics, and it has the vintage's riper, structured profile while staying balanced, lively, and pure. - Jeb Dunnuck

Smells floral and lifted on the nose, pretty and pure, perfumed. Sleek and crisp, gorgeous personality and liveliness, bite and tang but such control and cool freshness. Really such excellent tannins, smooth but giving definition and weight to the palate with creaminess and chalkiness that is so appealing. Feels fairly serious and concentrated but so finessed. A beautiful wine, crunchy, sleek, forward, expressive and so utterly drinkable with freshness and a minty, wet stone, liquorice tang on the finish. Tension is apparent, it's still straight, but there's gorgeous potential. Harvest 12-29 September. Ageing 18-24 months, 100% new oak. 3.7pH. Production: 60,000 bottles. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

The 2022 Virginie de Valandraud is a very serious wine taken from parcels Jean-Luc Thunevin does not use for his other SaintÉmilions. Deep and explosive, the 2022 offers up copious dark fruit, espresso, licorice, chocolate, incense and spice. This rich, deep red is an absolute winner. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

A blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a pH of 3.7, the deep garnet-purple colored 2022 Virginie de Valandraud shoots from the glass with bold notions of black cherry compote, wild blueberries, and plum preserves, followed by hints of Chinese five spice and dusty soil. Full-bodied, the palate is bright and expressive, with a plush texture and a long, spicy finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent