Valandraud St Emilion Gcc 1996

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Valandraud
Label Name:
 
St Emilion Gcc
Vintage:
 
1996
Country:
 
France
Region:
 
Saint-Émilion (Bordeaux)
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
12.5%
Grape(s):
 
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carmenere
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
3
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Wine Advocate (Robert Parker) 91 pts (Wine Advocate #122, Apr 1999); Wine Spectator ~87; James Suckling ~90 (merchant and critic listings). Various auction/merchant listings and vertical tastings note strong ageing and collector interest

Tasting Note
Evolved dark-fruited profile: black cherry, plum, coffee, truffle and spice with hints of iodine/tea. Medium–full body, velvety texture, sweet ripe tannins and long, savory finish.

Food Pairing
Western: roast lamb, ribeye or aged beef, porcini mushroom risotto, hard aged cheeses. Asian: Peking duck, char siu, braised beef short ribs, shiitake mushroom stir-fry or soy-glazed dishes.

Production Method
Hand-harvested, small-batch fermentations in stainless, concrete and wood; extended maceration, malolactic in barrel; aged ~18–24 months largely in new oak; typically bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Vineyard Info
Founded 1989 by Jean‑Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud; a pioneer of Bordeaux 'garage' wines. Small estate in the Fongaban valley; promoted to Saint‑Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé B in 2012.