Virginie de Valandraud 2024

Barrel-influenced nose with dark fruit, mocha, tobacco, caramel; on the palate a sweet fruit core and well-integrated oak, fine tannins, lively acidity, medium-length finish on red berries. Very clean.

Intense aromatics, perfumed florals, dark chocolate, vanilla and exotic spices. Crisp and compact, this is clean and straight, with fine tannins and pure fruit supported by quite a firm structure. This has muscle with underlying power as the fruit flavours slowly grow. Darkly seductive, well produced and delivered. There’s something very classy about this wine. Chewy on the finish, bright but focused. Easy drinkability here. 100% new wood but you can’t taste it. Finishes fresh. Glamorous but full of energy too! I like this. 40 hl/ha. Clay-limestone and gravels. pH 3.6. Sept 20–Oct 5.

Fruity, juicy, forward, and already a pleasure in your glass, the wine delivers its soft-textured, supple, bright, crisp red fruits, with a refreshing touch of mint and crushed stones, with ease. The wine blends 90% Merlot with 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2027-2040. 90-92 pts