Château Valandraud

History of Château Valandraud

The history of Château Valandraud begins in 1989, when Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud decided to embark on producing their own wine, with limited means but boundless ambition. The couple purchased a small plot of 0.6 hectares located in the Fongaban valley, close to two great Bordeaux estates, Pavie Macquin and La Clotte, in Saint-Émilion. The name "Valandraud" comes from a subtle blend of "Val", which refers to the Fongaban valley, and "Andraud", Murielle's maiden name.

From their very first vintage in 1991, they produced a wine that would later be described as a "garage wine", a term referring to micro-cuvées made with passion under modest conditions but with meticulous attention. Valandraud quickly stood out, and the years 1993 and 1994 placed the estate at the pinnacle, even rivaling prestigious crus such as Château Ausone and Cheval Blanc.

The success of Château Valandraud inspired many small producers in the region and contributed to the creation of a veritable revolution in the Bordeaux wine world: the garage wine movement. Over the years, Jean-Luc Thunevin, nicknamed "the bad boy of Saint-Émilion" for his unconventional methods, continued to expand the estate. In 2012, after several decades of relentless work, Valandraud was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé B, a well-deserved recognition for a wine that has upended conventions.

The 2010 and 2009 vintages of Château Valandraud received 97/100 from Robert Parker, underscoring the remarkable quality of this Saint-Émilion cru.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Valandraud

The Château Valandraud vineyard now covers approximately 10.7 hectares, mainly located in Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse, on the clay-limestone plateau. This exceptional terroir, recognized for its ability to produce balanced and powerful wines, is a key factor in the success of Valandraud's cuvées. The diversity of soils (clay-limestone and siliceous-gravelly) allows several grape varieties to be cultivated under optimal conditions.

The estate's grape variety composition is primarily made up of Merlot (70%), which brings roundness and generosity to the wine, followed by Cabernet Franc (25%), and to a lesser extent Cabernet Sauvignon (5%). The average age of the vines is 30 years, with certain plots exceeding 50 years, guaranteeing depth and aromatic complexity in every vintage. The planting density is 6,500 vines per hectare, a choice that promotes the concentration of aromas and the quality of the grapes.

The cultivation of the vine is a subtle balance between tradition and modernity. Valandraud relies on environmentally respectful practices, such as cover cropping, plowing, leaf removal, and double Guyot pruning, to guarantee the finest expression of the terroir. The harvest is carried out by hand, with rigorous sorting of the grapes by the harvesters, followed by density sorting on a Tribaie machine upon arrival at the estate's bioclimatic winery.

Winemaking at Château Valandraud

The winemaking process at Château Valandraud is an example of expertise and innovation. Carefully sorted grapes are vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel and wooden vats, offering precise temperature control. Manual pigeage, a traditional method consisting of punching down the cap of grape skins into the must, allows for optimal extraction of tannins and aromas.

The maceration lasts approximately three weeks, a slow and controlled process to obtain concentrated and harmonious wines. Malolactic fermentation, which converts malic acid into lactic acid, takes place in barrels, contributing to the smoothness and silky texture of the wines. 

Aging is another key element of the Valandraud style. The wines are aged between 18 and 30 months in 100% new French oak barrels, a bold choice that guarantees aromatic richness and a perfectly integrated tannic structure. Each vintage undergoes rigorous selection of the finest lots, under the supervision of Jean-Philippe Fort from the Laboratoire Rolland. The final blend varies according to the vintage, ensuring each cuvée a unique character and a perfect expression of the terroir.

The Cuvées of Château Valandraud

Château Valandraud produces a range of wines recognized for their exceptional quality, from their Fine Wine to the more exclusive smaller cuvées. 

Château Valandraud

The estate's Fine Wine, derived from a blend predominantly dominated by Merlot. It is distinguished by its deep, almost black color, and its intense nose of black fruit aromas, liquorice, and chocolate. On the palate, the wine is powerful, with rounded tannins and an exceptional finish. Valandraud is a rich and complex wine that improves with time.

Virginie de Valandraud

Initially conceived as a second wine, Virginie de Valandraud is today a cuvée in its own right, sourced from vineyards located beyond those of Valandraud. With a more accessible style and a beautiful freshness, this wine retains the generosity characteristic of the estate's wines while offering a more immediate approach.

3 de Valandraud

This wine is produced from the declassified fruit of Valandraud and Virginie de Valandraud, offering a more affordable alternative yet always bearing the estate's quality signature. 3 de Valandraud is a pleasurable wine, with silky tannins and aromas of red and black fruits.

Blanc de Valandraud N°1

This white wine is crafted from plots dedicated to white grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Sauvignon Gris. This wine offers great aromatic complexity with notes of citrus, exotic fruits, and a beautiful minerality.

Saint-Émilion, the jewel of the Bordeaux wine region, has produced over the years vintages of exceptional quality, delighting lovers of great wines. Among the legendary vintages, one can cite 1947, 1959, and 1961, true icons that have marked the history of Bordeaux wines. The celebrated 1982 also remains an undisputed reference. The following decades were no less remarkable, with outstanding vintages such as 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005, all acclaimed for their richness and aging potential. More recently, the vintages 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have shone through their balance and depth, reaffirming Saint-Émilion's reputation as one of the most sought-after appellations in Bordeaux, where each new year continues to captivate lovers of great wines with its consistent quality and elegance.

The Premiers Grands Crus Classés B classification of Saint-Émilion, revised every 10 years, highlights exceptional châteaux from the right bank vineyard. Among those that continue to feature in this prestigious category, one finds iconic names such as Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Château Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau Lagarrosse, Château Bélair-Monange, Château Canon, Château Pavie-Macquin, Château Troplong-Mondot, Château Trottevieille, and Clos Fourtet. Others, promoted in 2012, such as Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, Château Larcis-Ducasse, Château La Mondotte, and Château Valandraud, also illustrate the ever-rising quality of the region's crus. Conversely, certain châteaux are no longer classified, such as La Gaffelière (since 2022) and Magdelaine (since 2006). This constant renewal guarantees the excellence and evolution of the Saint-Émilion vineyard, where tradition and innovation blend harmoniously.

Château Valandraud embodies audacity, innovation, and excellence in the world of Bordeaux wines. Since its humble beginnings as a "garage wine", this estate has risen to become one of the greatest crus of Saint-Émilion, proving that passion and expertise can rival the oldest traditions. Today, every vintage of Valandraud, whether its Fine Wine or its more exclusive cuvées, is the fruit of meticulous work, driven by a love of the land and respect for the terroir. Through this pursuit of excellence, Château Valandraud continues to captivate enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike, in France and internationally.