Chateau Valandraud   Chateau Valandraud

1995 Chateau Valandraud

By Chateau Valandraud

1995 Chateau Valandraud from Chateau Valandraud, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux

The 1995 Chateau Valandraud marks a particularly captivating chapter in the annals of Bordeaux’s right bank treasures. Nestled within the prestigious Saint-Emilion, the garagiste movement proudly finds one of its most illustrious expressions in this wine. The very essence of 1995 radiates from the bottle—the year's benevolent weather patterns ushered in opulence that has matured gracefully over decades.

 

A Vintage That Speaks Volumes

Enshrined by an auspicious climatic ballet, the 1995 vintage saw a confluence of warm days and cool nights—crucial for aromatic complexity and tannic maturity. The Chateau Valandraud boasts a nuanced bouquet that spins a web of blackberry compote, underpinned by an invigorating touch of mint, indicative of its poised evolution. It’s a symphony in which every sip reveals another note; plums nudge against a backdrop of savoury leather, whilst subtle oak whispers lend structure without overshadowing the fruit.

 

Investment-Worthy Terroir

The wine’s inherent quality does not merely speak to the palate; it resonates with the astute investor. The terroir at Chateau Valandraud ensures a product that interlaces rarity with prestige. Patience has rewarded those who allowed the 1995 Chateau Valandraud time to unfurl its wings—in its current stage, it offers a window into right bank magic that investors and collectors alike seek passionately.

In sum, the 1995 Chateau Valandraud embodies a confluence of factors that define it as one of the stars among Saint-Emilion’s offerings of that year: exceptional weather conditions leading to richly layered complexity and rounded maturity that promises delight for those fortunate enough to uncork this gem. Whilst investment savvy often looks to numerical value, I propose that sensory value is equally paramount—this bottle excels in both. An investable artifact indeed, representing both liquid history and future potential.

Market price (HKD)

HK$43,150.00

12x75cl

Highest score

95

POP score

300.67

Scores and tasting notes

95

Tasted blind at the Valandraud vertical at the property, the 1995 Valandraud has a forward, fruit-driven, hedonistic bouquet with copious scents of kirsch, red plum, orange peel and blueberry with a smudge of alcohol just blurring the lines. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded and supple red fruit, nicely balanced and demonstrating more precision than the aromatics, finally reining in everything. The finish is clean and focused, quite powerful and with very good persistence, that edginess just beckoning you back for another sip. This has long been an excellent Valandraud from Jean-Luc and it will easily offer another 10-15 years of drinking pleasure. While the previous three vintages of Valandraud all punched above their weight, the 1995 is clearly a step up in quality. Tasted December 2016.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 February 2017

Vintage performance