2022 Château Valandraud

The 2022 Valandraud is fabulous. Rich and plush, with no hard edges, the 2022 is an exotic beauty. I imagine it will need the better part of a decade to be approachable, as its fruit intensity and tannic heft are both notable. Inky dark red/purplish fruit, new leather, tobacco and baking spice all build in the glass. The 2022 deftly balances opulence and finesse in grand style. Tasted two times.

- Antonio Galloni (01/2025)

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. (01/2025)