Opening in the glass with inviting aromas of dark berries, baking chocolate, exotic spices and vanilla pod, the 2021 Valandraud is a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy wine that's seamless and layered, exhibiting impressive concentration, beautifully ripe tannins and a long, succulent finish. Bursting with fruit, this is an especially elegant Valandraud, with below-average alcohol at 13.5%, but it doesn't lack for anything. Tasted four times, twice at the château.

La trame est dense, la concentration parfaite. Le fruit est encore très mûr et la densité typique de Valandraud. La fraîcheur se conjugue à un tanin crémeux mais vibrant qui donne plus d’énergie à la finale.

Parfum enjôleur et profond, belle personnalité capiteuse, ample et musquée ; une densité lorgnant vers la sucrosité, avec de la gourmandise. La bouche est pleine, riche et enrobée comme souvent à Valandraud, s'appuyant sur le crémeux de la matière. Les tannins sont bien fondus et le boisé s’intègre en finesse, l’ensemble reposant sur un joli matelas de fraicheur qui porte le vin, lui confère un moelleux et une amplitude très distinctifs.

Full-bodied with a silky yet very firm and broad tannin structure. Lots of ripe, cool blue-fruit and stone character. Red tea, too. Textured. Well balanced and focused for the vintage. Lovely length.

Couleur sombre, pourpre et intense. Nez très aromatique, fruité, mûr, subtil et puissant. Moelleux en entrée de bouche, velouté au milieu, le vin évolue plein, en caressant le palais, vers une longue finale savoureuse, à la tannicité enrobée et riche en saveurs. Assemblage : 85 % merlot, 9 % cabernet franc, 6 % cabernet sauvignon. Degré d'alcool : 13°5. Rendement : 28 hl/ha.

A rich and hedonistic nose full of perfumed black fruits that are so beguiling. Smooth, supple and generous on the palate in every way - tannins are present and mouthfilling but do well to give the blackcurrant and black cherry frame in the mouth. The fruit has quite a high tone to it, stopping short of being sharp but really vibrant with sparky edges from the acidity and liquorice, clove, toasted wood and cinnamon spice. It's characterful with lots going on - well presented with elegance and a cool freshness throughout. It's the detail that is just so excellent here. It's still got a lot of youthful excitement but this has beautiful intention, direction and understated power. A bold and more hefty style for the vintage with clear confidence.