Enthusiast: “The best yet” from the original garagiste
- 99 pts Jeb Dunnuck99 pts Jeb Dunnuck
- 99 pts Wine Enthusiast99 pts WE
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2019 Chateau Valandraud Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux Magnum Magnum
| $350 | per bottle (1.5L) | |
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Bordeaux’s Bad Boy Goes Blue Chip
With their 99-point 2019, Château Valandraud has made their best wine yet—which is saying something.
The estate burst onto the Bordeaux scene in the early 90s, immediately drawing comparisons to cult Napa Cabernets. Owner Jean-Luc Thunevin earned his moniker as the “Bad Boy of Bordeaux” for a series of flamboyantly powerful wines made in a garage, challenging the region’s established power structures.
Like Napa’s Cult bottlings, Thunevin’s garagiste operation has grown up into one of the blue-chip bottlings on the Right Bank. Today, the vineyards have been upgraded, the winemaking facility is a no-expense-spared cathedral of vinification, and under the guidance of superstar consultant Michel Rolland, Thunevin is making the best wines of his career.
Praise for the 2019 Valandraud has been widespread and full-throated. Wine Enthusiast called it “the best yet from this estate” in their 99-point review. Jeb Dunnuck also gave it 99 points, tying it for the highest rating—one he awarded to only three other 2019 Saint-Émilions. Vinous lauded it as “a towering, statuesque wine that captures all the best the vintage had to offer.”
Three decades ago, Thunevin quit his day job to make wine in one of the world’s most revered regions. He had little money, no cellar of his own, and most importantly, no fear of enraging the appellation’s power structure. That came in handy when Valandraud surpassed wines made by vignerons who had criticized his early efforts.
Thunevin’s reputation grew, and Rolland added his expertise. Then, in 2012, Valandraud became enshrined as one of the great wines of the Right Bank when it was classified Premier Grand Cru Classé.
The 2019 Château Valandraud is a prime example of what made Thunevin a star.