A blend of 85% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, vinified and aged 22 months in new barrels, the 2022 Château Valandraud is another heavenly wine and was pure perfection on this occasion. Like the 2020, only lighter on its feet, it's full-bodied, deep, rich, and massive, with good acidity, ripe tannins, and huge richness but no weight. It's just awesome any way you look at it and it matches the otherworldly 2010 and 2020. This is just another incredible effort from the incredible Jean-Luc Thunevin. Drink bottles any time over the coming 30 years or more. Drink 2026-2056.

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.