Chateau Valandraud Grand Cru (2005)
100pointsVinous · A. Galloni · 2005 vintage- Region
- France, Bordeaux
- Appellation
- Grand Cru
- Grapes
- 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec
- Color
- Red
- Vintages
- 2005
- Mevushal
- No
- Supervision
- OU; Rabbi Its’hak Katz Kehal Yereim Paris Chareidi
Scores by vintage
5 scores of 90 points and above.
Off the charts. Easily one of the wines of the vintage.
- 95Wine Advocate2005
- 95Wine Spectator2005
- 19/20René Gabriel2005
- 17/20Jancis Robinson2005
Scores are for the vintages we carry. Ranges are barrel-sample scores given before bottling.
Expert Notes
The wine Château Valandraud is a red wine produced in the Bordeaux region in France, by Château Valandraud. This 2005 vintage comes from the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation. Its ideal tasting temperature is 59°. Its producer, Château Valandraud, produces 94 wines.
Tasting Notes
Ruby hue, with purplish reflection in youth. The notes of red fruits are very concentrated, behind them develop a wide range of aromas including vanilla and leather with aging in barrels. Merlotbrings fruity, when Malbec gives tannins and Cabernet Franc spicy notes.
Food Pairing
Ideal with duck, sticky ribs, lamb shoulder, tomato pasta, pizza and mild slightly sweet cheeses.
Serve at 17 to 18°C (63 to 65°F). Decant young vintages for an hour.
The Region
Saint-Émilion is an appellation and key wine town in the Libournais district of Bordeaux, important in terms of both quality and quantity. The most searched-for Saint-Émilion wine on our database is Château Cheval Blanc. The town lies just a few miles north of the Dordogne, in the final stages of the river's journey from the hills of the Massif Central to the Gironde estuary. It is renowned as much for its beautiful buildings and scenery as for its wine. Its steep, narrow, cobbled streets, overlooked by its Romanesque church and the iconic 13th-century Tour du Roy tower are a reminder of the town's long history.
The Grape
The Merlot-Cabernet Franc duet is an established and important variant on the classic Bordeaux blend, particularly on the Right Bank. It is used in the prestigious and Saint-Émilion and Pomerol appellations, and is behind some very high-profile wines. Merlot is usually used in higher proportions in this blend, thanks (in part) to its broad appeal and higher profile than Cabernet Franc. It provides most of the fruit component, offering up flavors of mulberries, plum and dark berries.
