{"title":"Château Valandraud | Saint Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Château Valandraud Vineyards in Saint Émilion, Bordeaux\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/Collection_Banner_6a4d71d0-4706-4f7f-8557-f3e94ee8c310.jpg?v=1660768595\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChâteau Valandraud was established by Jean-Luc Thunevin and his wife Murielle Andraud. It started life in 1989 when they purchased a small 0.6 hectares plot of land in the valley of Saint-Émilion, between La Clotte and Pavie-Macquin. They named their château “Valandraud” after the valley Vallon de Fongaban (“Val”) and the last name of Murielle “Andraud”. In 1991 their debut vintage, a mere 100 cases, was released at prices that rivalled the First Growths and gave the Thunevins the publicity they needed to launch their incredible wine. Due to the tiny production they were considered as one of the original \"garage\" wines, which sparked a trend for thoroughly modern Bordeaux wine styles made in such tiny quantities that they could be - and sometimes were - made in a garage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJean-Luc Thunevin, was nicknamed the 'Bad Boy' of Saint-Émilion by Robert Parker (who scored the 1995 Valandraud vintage higher than Pétrus), for defying centuries of tradition and making a highly stylised wine: bold and rich with lavish new oak (at one point it was aged in 200% new oak). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the years, the estate has expanded to approximately 10 hectares of land, containing both red and white grape plants. The red vines are predominantly Merlot and a smaller percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Carmenère and Malbec. The white vines are divided by Sauvignon Gris, Semillion and Sauvignon Blanc. The fermentation process is carried out in oak barrels and the wine is matured for 18 months in new oak casks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith his wife Murielle Andraud, who is the brains in the vineyard, the pair have made a huge impact on the Saint-Émilion wine scene. Once dubbed the \"Black Sheep\" of this wine village, Jean-Luc is now part of the established order, achieving Premier Grand Cru Classé status in 2012 in the appellation's official classification. This very rich and concentrated St-Emilion is now one of the most sought-after wines in Bordeaux.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"virginie-de-valandraud-bordeaux-blanc","title":"Virginie de Valandraud Bordeaux Blanc 2017\/19","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlways looking for new challenges Jean-Luc Thunevin and his wife Murielle took the decision in 2000 to start growing white grapes in a vineyard close to Château Valandraud. A combination of varieties are used according to vintage made up from Semillon (60%), Sauvignon Blanc (30%) and Sauvignon Gris (10%). The inaugural vintages of the cuvée were sold under the label 'Blanc de Valandraud Nº 2', but this was changed after the 2010 vintage to 'Virginie de Valandraud Blanc', taking its name from Jean-Luc and Murilles daughter, Virginie. The wine-making involves 40% stainless steel and 60% in second and third use oak barrels. Aromas of freshly squeezed lemons, grapefruit and granny smith apples. The palate is medium bodied with a crisp, citrus core and refreshing, clean finish.[#intro]A juicy, crisp \u0026amp; refreshing Bordeaux Blanc from the iconic Valandraud stable...[\/intro]\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Valandraud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40134950715459,"sku":"A17VIRGINIEVALANDRAUDBLANC","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/products\/VVWhiteBt.jpg?v=1660996415"},{"product_id":"virginie-de-valandraud-saint-emilion-grand-cru","title":"Virginie de Valandraud Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2017","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst created in 1992 as the second wine of Château Valandraud, Virginie de Valandraud is named after Jean–Luc ThunevIn and Murielle Andraud’s daughter. Since 1997, and the ever increasing Thunevin vineyards in the Saint Emilion area, Virginie de Valandraud Saint Emilion Grand Cru has developed its own identity while being grown and vinified the same way and by the same team in charge of Chateau Valandraud. Although Virginie de Valandraud may be seen as a second wine it is cultivated and vinified the same way as Château Valandraud, by the same team, with the same means and methods, under the supervision of Murielle Andraud and as such it has stepped out of its “big brother’s” shadow to rightfully become an independent cuvée of startling good quality. A blend of Merlot (65%), Cabernet Franc (25 %), Cabernet Sauvignon (5 %), Malbec (4 %) and Carmenère (1%) the wine is matured in new French oak for up to 24 months. [#intro]A wine that surpasses many a self-aggrandising \"big gun\" in Saint Emilion...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Valandraud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40143652159555,"sku":"A17VIRGINIESTEMILION","price":65.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/products\/VVRedBottle.jpg?v=1661358346"},{"product_id":"3-de-valandraud-saint-emilion-grand-cru","title":"3 de Valandraud Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003e3 de Valandraud Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is a genuine introduction to the delicate work done by the team at Château Valandraud. It all started in 1989 when Jean-Luc Thunevin and his wife sidekick Murielle Andraud acquired a parcel of 0.6 hectares in the small valley of Saint-Émilion city, between Pavie-Macquin and La Clotte. In 1991 the adventure of Château Valandraud was launched. Since then they have bought more vineyards and properties within the Saint-Émilion appellation. The 3 de Valandraud cuvée is a true Saint-Émilion Grand Cru from Valandraud's local vineyards and vinified to be enjoyed up to 10 years after bottling. A red wine blend dominated by Merlot alongside Cabernet Franc and small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. The wine spends approximately 18 months in new oak before bottling. 3 de Valandraud Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is a full-bodied red wine with crushed raspberry and dary-berry aromas, ripe and rounded fruit flavour with a hint of jam leading into a long fresh finish. [#intro]A true Saint-Émilion Grand Cru that showcases the quality of Château Valandraud's wines...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Valandraud","offers":[{"title":"Single Bottle","offer_id":53515046551933,"sku":"A183DEVALANDRAUD-1","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Add 6 Bottles (Save 5%)","offer_id":53515046584701,"sku":"A183DEVALANDRAUD-2","price":228.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/3deValandraudBt.jpg?v=1729428265"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/collections\/Collection_Image_25222a46-f5d1-489c-8219-42d0a1931e6a.jpg?v=1660768690","url":"https:\/\/hic.wine\/collections\/chateau-valandraud-saint-emilion.oembed","provider":"Hic!","version":"1.0","type":"link"}