Virginie de Valandraud - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru - Red - 2018 :

 

The Virginie de Valandraud stands as a testament to the revolutionary winemaking of Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud. As the celebrated Second Wine of Château Valandraud (Premier Grand Cru Classé B), this Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is widely acknowledged for its exceptional quality, often rivaling the region's top offerings.

This is a concentrated, modern Right Bank Bordeaux, benefiting from the same precision viticulture and 100% new French oak aging as the Grand Vin. It offers immense depth, luscious fruit, and the polished structure that defines a cellar-worthy Saint-Émilion.

Tasting Profile (Sommelier's Insight)

• Colour: A deep, opaque garnet with a luxurious purple rim.
• Aroma: Intense and layered, featuring ripe black fruit (blackberry, dark cherry) intertwined with notes of fine cedar, vanilla pod, tobacco leaf, and subtle graphite minerality.
• Palate: Full and opulent, yet beautifully poised. The mouthfeel is velvety, supported by fine-grained, persistent tannins. A powerful core of fruit leads to a long, sophisticated finish.

Decanting & Food Matches

We recommend decanting this wine for up to two hours. Serve lightly cooled at 16°C - 17°C (60-62°F).

• Ideal Food Pairing: Traditional Sunday Roast Beef, a classic Game Pie, Slow-cooked Lamb Shank, or a platter of mature British cheeses like Stilton or Aged Cheddar.

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018
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