A nice sipping wine that will also pair nicely with food.
A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 22 months in all new French oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$50.
Freda_Bloogs
I have always enjoyed this expression of Valandraud – I haven’t had this particular vintage though. Thanks for the notes!
kendowtl
DissappointedPaulGiamatti.jpg
go_flyers
i dont love merlot, but my god did Sideways ruin the public perception of merlot. the whole point of Giamatti’s hate for merlot is about his personal issues with his ex wife. the whole point is that he doesnt like merlot because of her, not because it’s bad. his holy grail wine is like 40% merlot iirc
noctambulare
Merlot was gone? PNW regional Merlot is complicated and delicious, not the raspberry fruit bomb it used to be decades ago.
L’Ecole and neighbor Woodward Canyon, Long Shadows, Goose Ridge, Milbrandt, Reininger. You could throw a dart at any of these Merlot’s and they are amazing.
I will say if in Washington for historical perspective you might also drop in on Kiona and Chinook. Kiona is among the oldest grower/winery in Wa with solid old school inexpensive wines.
Chinook in particular, Kay Simon was a revolutionary in Washington wines with elegant Merlot’s and Cab Franc.
5 Comments
Chateau Valandraud Virginie de Valandraud Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2015
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Fruity nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing red and black fruits with cedar, licorice, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, earth and black tea.
Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This 10 year old Merlot from Saint Emilion still feels young. Drinking very nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.
This second wine is good right out of the bottle, and much better after a couple of hours of airtime.
Wine Spectator 91 points. Wine Advocate 92 points.
A nice sipping wine that will also pair nicely with food.
A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 22 months in all new French oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$50.
I have always enjoyed this expression of Valandraud – I haven’t had this particular vintage though. Thanks for the notes!
DissappointedPaulGiamatti.jpg
i dont love merlot, but my god did Sideways ruin the public perception of merlot. the whole point of Giamatti’s hate for merlot is about his personal issues with his ex wife. the whole point is that he doesnt like merlot because of her, not because it’s bad. his holy grail wine is like 40% merlot iirc
Merlot was gone? PNW regional Merlot is complicated and delicious, not the raspberry fruit bomb it used to be decades ago.
L’Ecole and neighbor Woodward Canyon, Long Shadows, Goose Ridge, Milbrandt, Reininger. You could throw a dart at any of these Merlot’s and they are amazing.
I will say if in Washington for historical perspective you might also drop in on Kiona and Chinook. Kiona is among the oldest grower/winery in Wa with solid old school inexpensive wines.
Chinook in particular, Kay Simon was a revolutionary in Washington wines with elegant Merlot’s and Cab Franc.