Virginie de Valandraud, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Surprisingly elegant, lots of creaminess and excellent balance, pure hedonism. Immediately reordered

2009 vintage

Red and dark berries and herbs as well as sweet spices in the bouquet. Same on the palate, well dosed oak, good and fresh acidity and tannin with still a pleasant bite and a good length. In its early maturity stage.

2009 vintage

Lovely elegant wine!

2009 vintage

Floral and fragrant on open. Sat 1 hour without the cork. Then drank very well over an hour. Had it with short ribs and it was a perfect marriage. I’d say it’s a focused wine vs lacking depth. The red fruits are still young but it drinks otherwise mature and smooth. To me this wine is just now entering its drinking window with many years ahead. If it was not for the fact I’d stopped buying wine I’d would buy …

2009 vintage

Drank next to the 10. Very nice. Floral, light mouthfeel, but stood up to a beef roast. 10 had more going on.

2009 vintage

Crowdpleaser on the merlotside of life. Mouth full of wine !!! Missing some balance for a higher score

2009 vintage

Aged nicely, had it after a nice Italian dinner. Probably in its drinking window now.

2009 vintage

Well balanced, forest floor, low acid, complex, long finish, decant for 2.5 hrs could have done with more, drinking well now don’t leave it too much longer .

2009 vintage

Very pretty ruby garnet red color in the glass, looking like something you'd want to wear on your hand. Still drinking nicely, quality fruit and a nice finish. Tannins are fully resolved and the balance is there, but it didn't evolve in the glass over time any more than it tasted out of bottle when we opened it. This remains a favorite wine of mine, but I think I will drink up the few I have left from this vintage …

2009 vintage

Soft, rounded, polished, pretty, easy-going and gentle. Flawless. Lacking some personality and excitement?

2009 vintage

My 3rd note (10th bottle) on this wine - still an outstanding Bordeau that is every bit as smooth and integrated as my last note several bottles ago. I would think the drink window for this wine could be expanded a bit if the bottles have been properly stored. Enjoy!

2009 vintage

Wait. Wait. Wait. Give this bottle time to open in a decanter because it gets better as it opens. The nose is rich and floral. The palate evolves from being fully resolved tannins to showing up after an hour. Lots of dark red fruit, a little black coffee, and a hint of licorice according to my friend who helped me drink this. It's in a better place after an hour so don't rush through it and give it an hour …

2009 vintage

Is a wine supposed to be better than this? Comfort, earth, barn beautiful. Hits all the critical points in your mouth mid palate. Long sexy finish. We thought this was perfect two years ago, but it's still holding at its peak right now. Delectable. W-Tim and Katie over crackers and cheese.

2009 vintage

Need lots of air. Really good.

2009 vintage

Drinking really well now. Black currant, plum, chocolate, and oak. Still, lots of fruit left. Tannins and acidity have mellowed down but are still present at an attractive level. Drunk over two days and my impression was that it was even better day 2, so good hopes that this wine has not yet reached its home stretch yet.

2009 vintage

Really enjoy this wine. Improves if you aerate and decant for a couple of hours

2009 vintage

Fabulous second wine

2009 vintage

Drinking very well at this age, elegant, complex, and a great match with cheese and crackers. slight acidity and medium finish

2009 vintage

Garnet. Dark fruits, cedar, tobacco and earthy notes on the nose. Medium-bodied. Medium-bodied. Round and smooth. Fine tannins, very well integrated. Excellent QPR. Better after decanting 2 hours.

2009 vintage

Way more depth and fruit than the `04, otherwise quite similar to my previous note of the `04 vintage. No need to hold further, drink now...

2009 vintage

Brett showed up

2009 vintage

4th Saturday Group (R&D's) : Double blind. Faded crimson color. Notes of tobacco, iron and currants. Fully-integrated tannins and medium body, with flavors of red currant and tobacco. Guessed 2003 St. Emilion. (R&D)

2009 vintage

Drank over three days. Medium body, nose of dark fruit and charred wood, palate similar with hint of oregano. Tannin well integrated but present. Wood was most prominent on day 1. Very nice second wine, lack of fruit and domination of wood holds the rating back a bit; nevertheless very enjoyable.

2009 vintage

Still pretty dark red. Throwing a fine sediment. Overall this is a soft, feminine, seductive wine. Mostly red fruit. Somewhat high-toned in the mouth, but quite good. Bit of iron. I don't think there's any upside from here, but not over the hill either. Drink up! 4-12-15-7: 88/100.

2009 vintage

Christmas dinner wine, served with beef tenderloin. Perfect accompaniment to a perfect wine! Just enough tannins, just enough dark fruit, just enough wood!!! Amen. Wish I had another

2009 vintage

Agree with the two Christmas 2020 tasting notes. Perhaps a year past prime, but still a standout, this 70% Merlot, 30% Cab Franc blend is devilishly stylish (Santa driving a dark-red convertible). Medium body. Black and blue fruit, warm caramel, herbs, currants, cleansing minerals, pencil tip, white pepper, oak spice, tobacco leaf and truffles wrap around nostril and tongue with freshness and verve. Moderate acidity. Sandy tannins. Chewy and juicy. Recommend drinking now. 14% abv.

2009 vintage

the nose on this wine is spectacular. smoky with deep dark fruit that is quite unique. Just a great nose. dark purple right to the edge - the wine on the palate is less dynamic but still has a great core of black fruit and a sweet finish.

2009 vintage

Soft styled and at or perhaps a tad past prime depending on one’s preference. Tannins very light at this point with wonderful mature fruit expression (blackberry and blueberry). Went great with standing ribeye roast. Not quite as good as first two bottles but still a solid 92 on this last bottle. Drink up and no need to decant.

2009 vintage

Given to MEB

2009 vintage

No formal notes.

2009 vintage

Affirming my prior tasting note. Really nice wine from a great vintage. Drinking really nicely.

2009 vintage

Nicely balanced wine that worked great with steak blue cheese salad. Long finish, medium tannins. Drinking well now, but might age some more.

2009 vintage

No formal notes.

2009 vintage

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Virginie de Valandraud, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

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