2025, Château Valandraud, SAINT-ÉMILION, 1er Grand Cru Classé 'B'84% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc The 2025 Valandraud is breathtaking. Its the first vintage made by Jean Luc Thunevin and Marie Lefvre together. It therefore represents a changing of the guard, now that Lefvre and her husband, Christophe, have taken full ownership of the property after many years holding a minority stake. Vibrant and explosive in the glass, the 2025 Valandraud offers an exotic mlange of dark blue purplish fruit,

has a nicely detailed bouquet

**** 93-96 Jasper Morris

Attractive aromatics here

the medium-bodied 2022 provides pleasure right out of the gate and closes with a lively and refreshing finale

at the same time

the palate delivers a solid backbone of grainy tannins and plenty of freshness to back up the muscular black fruit layers

succulent Sangiovese/Merlot blend is quite the charmer

potpourri and pungent herbs

Nice dry finish

Beautiful red ruby expression

Lovely mid-palate - mouth coating

energetic black and red fruit layers