Delivers a gorgeous display of fruit, with boysenberry, raspberry and blackberry coulis notes that are fresh and racy, allied to a graphite spine and framed judiciously with a well-singed apple wood accent. This has a lot of coiled-up energy. Best from 2022 through 2035. 2,000 cases made. -JM

Tasted blind at the Valandraud vertical at the property, the 2014 Valandraud is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc matured in 100% new oak for 24 months. It fulfils the great potential it showed from barrel. It offers plenty of fruit on the nose: blackberry and blueberry, very well defined and precise with neatly integrated oak. The palate has a caressing texture on the entry, great depth and purity with blueberry and black cherry notes, a hint of cassis developing towards the satin-textured, precise and almost crystalline finish. This is a beautifully crafted Saint Emilion destined to give a lot of pleasure over the years. Tasted December 2016.