France · Bordeaux

Chateau Valandraud

Chateau Valandraud is one of the original garagiste wines of Saint-Émilion, founded by Jean-Luc Thunevin in 1991 from a tiny parcel of vines near Saint-Émilion town. Thunevin's philosophy was to produce micro-quantity, hyper-concentrated wine from low-yielding old vines with meticulous attention to detail — a model that became a template for the broader garage wine movement. The wine quickly attracted cult status and stratospheric scores from Robert Parker, earning Premier Grand Cru Classé B status in the 2012 Saint-Émilion classification. The flagship Valandraud is a Merlot-dominant blend typically including Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Across 498 auction lots, the estate averages $264 per bottle with prices reaching $3,075 for older vintages and large formats. The 1998 and 2000 vintages were pivotal in establishing the estate's reputation, each earning Parker scores above 96. More recent vintages — 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 — have continued to score in the mid-to-upper 90s. The secondary label Virginie de Valandraud offers earlier-drinking style at lower price points.