Château Valandraud : Coffret Acte II 2014, 2015 et 2016

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Coffret Acte II 2014, 2015 and 2016 from Château Valandraud

Tasting

This exceptional set brings together three distinct vintages of Château Valandraud, each revealing a unique personality. The 2014 stands out for its precision and tension, offering a finely chiseled expression of the terroir. The 2015 captivates with its depth and spellbinding character, promising remarkable evolution. The 2016 impresses with its vibrant energy and outstanding cellaring potential, showcasing the expertise of Jean-Luc Thunevin.

Food and wine pairings

These three outstanding vintages pair beautifully with refined cuisine. They elevate a herb-roasted rack of lamb, duck breast with figs, or game in sauce. Aged hard cheeses also make an excellent match, highlighting the complexity of these wines.

Serving and cellaring

The Coffret Acte II 2014, 2015 and 2016 deserves particular attention when serving. The 2014 benefits from being decanted one hour before tasting, as does the 2015. The more structured 2016 requires two hours of decanting to fully reveal its potential. Ideally serve between 16 and 18°C.

Three exceptional vintages from a Premier Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion

The estate

Created in 1989 by Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud in Saint-Émilion, Château Valandraud now spans 10.70 hectares on the clay-limestone plateau of Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse. An emblematic figure of the garage wine movement, the estate upended the traditional world of Bordeaux with its bold approach, favoring concentration and aging in new oak barrels. This innovative vision propelled Château Valandraud to the rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé B in 2012, a distinction confirmed in 2022.

The vineyard

The vines of Château Valandraud thrive on the limestone plateau of Saint-Emilion, an exceptional terroir that gives the wines their distinctive character. This privileged setting enables optimal grape ripening, encouraging the expression of great aromatic concentration and a remarkable tannic structure—hallmarks of the estate’s wines.

The blend

This Coffret Acte II brings together three consecutive vintages that illustrate the diversity of expressions of Valandraud’s terroir: 2014 (90% merlot, 10% cabernet franc), 2015 (90% merlot, 5% cabernet franc, 5% cabernet sauvignon) and 2016 (90% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 3% cabernet sauvignon).

Winemaking and aging

The three vintages in the Coffret Acte II 2014, 2015 and 2016 benefited from meticulous aging in new oak barrels. The 2014 matured for 24 months, while the 2015 and 2016 vintages were aged for 22 months. This extended maturation in new barrels allows the wines to develop aromatic complexity while preserving the freshness and elegance characteristic of the estate.