VALANDRAUD 2022

The 2022 Château Valandraud is sensational, offering a massive array of blackcurrants, chocolate, smoked tobacco, baking spices, and truffly earth. Full-bodied and deeply layered, it has a velvety mouthfeel, polished tannins, and remarkable purity. It reminds me of a hypothetical blend of the 2020 and 2019. Based on 85% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, it was vinified and aged 22 months in new barrels. It will evolve gracefully for 20-30 years. (Drink between 2025-2055)

Alluring singed alder and black tea accents lead the way, followed by a dense core of steeped blackberry and black currant fruit. A swath of licorice root, warm earth and tobacco coats the finish, with the fruit keeping pace. Lengthy and velvety in feel, this is almost approachable now. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2026 through 2040. 3,300 cases made.

The 2022 Valandraud is quite oaky on the nose, more than its peers, though there is sufficient fruit behind it. Clearly, these aromatics will need time to knit together, quite gourmand and savoury. It's actually not dissimilar to Tertre-Rôteboeuf! The palate is medium-bodied with succulent, ripe tannins, a tad more New World in style, flashy and very sweet towards the finish. Bottle age will temper that ostentatious veneer, as per usual! Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

A rich, glossy Valandraud delivered in a plush but polished mode. Showing lots of new wood, cocoa nibs, mocha, espresso and pine cones to the dense blackberries and a touch of roasted red peppers. Full with immense concentration, this has compact fruit and bold, dusty tannins. You hardly catch the high alcohol here with such intensity. Balanced at a high pitch. Big, voluptuous but beautiful too. 36,200 bottles made. Give it three more years to let the wood spices integrate. Drink from 2028.

The 2022 Valandraud has an intense nose that curiously reminds me of Burgundy, with plenty of crème de cassis, veins of blueberry and crushed violet. A bit of alcohol is present, but this retains satisfying delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and a creamy texture. The acidity keeps you on your toes as this gains weight towards the finish, delivering notes of black pepper and clove. Very harmonious and well crafted, the 2022 Valandraud will age well over the next 20 to 25 years. (Drink between 2032-2065)