Tasting at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits St. Georges - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Picture: Domaine Faiveley in Nuits St. Georges

We visit Domaine Joseph Faiveley in Nuits St. Georges. The visit included a tour and a tasting of 7 wines with Brand Ambassador Mathilde Nicolas.

We toured the old cellars of the main building of Domaine Faiveley. This year, unfortunately, we were not able to visit the barrel and tank cellars. I have added pictures from last year's visit of the barrel and tank cellars.

Domaine Joseph Faiveley is one of the biggest domains in the Bourgogne and, many would argue, one of the best. This illustrious company has been based in Nuits St Georges since the days of Pierre Faiveley who founded the business in 1825. His son Joseph gave his name to the family business, to be followed by (1) the first François, (2) Georges who was instrumental in founding the Chevaliers du Tastevin, (3) Guy who developed the business in the Côte Chalonnaise, (4) François who recently retired and (5) now his son Erwan, born in 1979.

Pictures: Arriving at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits St. Georges

Guy Faiveley, a brilliant intellectual who had a collection of diplomas had the difficult job of succeeding his very colorful father. Yet, with his impetus, the domain doubled in size. François Faiveley took over the domain at the age of 25. He was able to give it a new boost – using a precursor of the sorting table and carrying out cold macerations for example. At the same age as his father, Erwan Faiveley took over the domain in 2007, becoming the seventh generation. On his arrival, he renewed and reinforced his team and invested in the winery and the vineyards. He brought new dynamics to the family business, while remaining faithful to his predecessors' values.

Picture: Annette Schiller and Mathilde Nicolas, Domaine Faiveley Brand Ambassador.

Initially, the company was a classic négociant, buying and selling wine. Bourgogne wines started to experience greater fame in Louis 14th's reign, when those high up in the King's court and foreign ambassadors in Paris started to take an interest. It was against this background that Pierre Faiveley founded the négociant business in 1825.

Pictures: At Domaine Faiveley in Nuits St. Georges (2015 Visit)

But from generation to generation, with a strong commitment to the quality of Burgundy’s patrimony, the Faiveley family has purchased vineyards and is today among the largest owners of classified vineyards in the Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise.

The objective of the family today, led by Erwan Faiveley, is to increase the firm’s holdings of great vineyards so that there can be complete control from vine to bottle across the entire range of wines.

Pictures: At Domaine Faiveley in Nuits St. Georges (2015 Visit)

On October 15, 2013, in a surprise announcement, Domaine Faiveley reported it had acquired 20 hectares of vines previously owned by Domaine Dupont-Tisserandot, which is based in Gevrey-Chambertin. All together, the firm now presently owns 123 hectares of vineyards among which 12 hectares are grands crus and 27, premiers crus.

Along with this focus, Erwan Faiveley and General Manager Bernard Hervet have renovated the cellars, which now boast state-of-the-art barrel presses, custom-designed wooden vats and among the finest, air-cured oak casks available in the world. Unlike many wine growers, Domaine Faiveley has united the management of its vineyards and its cellar under the direction of one technical director, Jerome Flous.

Pictures: At Domaine Faiveley in Nuits St. Georges

The grapes are entirely destemmed and fermented in new custom-designed wooden vats for the finer wines, conical stainless steel tanks for the lesser cuvées. Fermentation is slow and at low temperatures.

Wines mature afterwards in oak barrels in 19th century vault cellars that offer ideal conditions for long ageing. These barrels coming from great coopers have been rigorously selected for their fine grain and light toast. Both premier and grand cru wines may receive two-thirds new wood.

Pictures: Tasting at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits St. Georges

Many of Faiveley's top wines are hand bottled with no filtration. This in turn results in clean, opulent wines that often show Pinot Noir at its best.

Faiveley’s white wines are both silky and powerful. They bring together purity, tension and minerality. The red wines are the perfect illustration of a successful marriage of elegance, precision and concentration.

The objective of the family today, led by Erwan Faiveley, is to increase the firm’s holdings of great vineyards so that there can be complete control from vine to bottle across the entire range of wines. Along with this focus, Erwan Faiveley has renovated the Domaines cellars—in both Nuits-Saints-George and Mercurey—which now boast state of the art barrel presses, custom-designed wooden vats and among the finest, air-cured oak casks available in the world.

This write up is based on what I learnt from Mathilde Nicolas during the tour and tasting at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-Georges and the Faiveley web site, supplemented by the excellent write-ups on the web site of Berry Bros. and Rudd as well as Frederic Wildmann.

Tasting

Les Vins

Les Rouges

2014 Domaine Faiveley Mercurey “La Framboisière”

This wine has a really fruity powerful nose, which mixes greedy red and black fruit aromas and woody notes. But it is on the palate that it shows its full potential, where it is powerful and fleshy with flavors of raspberry and other very ripe red fruits, almost as if we were biting into them.

2014 Domaine Faiveley Gevry-Chambertin

A brilliant dark ruby color. The expressive and complex nose has aromas of red fruits with woody notes. We find these same aromas on the palate which are well enveloped by delicately blended tannins.

2014 Domaine Faiveley Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Les Porêts St-Georges"

A deep ruby-red color. The nose has black fruit notes and woody, fiery aromas. After a round and full attack, this wine proves powerful and full-bodied. It is well-balanced and of high quality, with good cellaring potential.

 

2014 Domaine Faiveley Corton "Clos des Cortons Faiveley" Grand Cru

A rather intense black colour.  The nose is powerful, concentrated, fruity and woody.  The attack is strong and tannic.  The tannins are firm, but well incorporated by the smoothness. We are in the presence of a wine of great volume, with supple tannins and very long-lasting aromas and tastes. This is a fine wine for cellaring.

Les Blancs

2014 Faiveley Bourgogne Chardonnay

2014 Domaine Faiveley Rully “Les Villeranges”

A brilliant light yellow color. A blend of mineral flinty aromas and very ripe fruit aromas gives a nice fresh bouquet. This wine is very pleasant on the palate, sophisticated and round at first, with a slightly acid finish, which gives a beautiful freshness to the whole.

2014 Domaine Faiveley Puligny Montrachet "Champgain" Premier Cru

The nose is very nice and charms with its both subtle and enveloping character. We find aromas of citrus fruits, exotic fruits and light toasty notes there. This wine is full on the palate and strikes a balance between fatness and liveliness. A harmonious wine with long-lasting aromas.

Postings: Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours:From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History (Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History

Dinner at a Bouchon - Chez Paul - in Lyon: Schiller’s Favorite Bouchons in Lyon, France

Introduction to the Burgundy Wine Region at Antic Wine in Lyon with Flying Sommelier Georges Dos Santos - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, Paul Bocuse’s Iconic Restaurant in Collonges­ au­ Mont­ d’Or, France - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

In the Most Prestigious AOC in the Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé, France

Vineyard Walk, Cellar Walk and Tasting at Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully­ Fuissé, Mâconnais, with Winemaker Audrey Braccini - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Visit and Tasting at Domaine Georges Descombes in Vermont, Villié­-Morgon, Beaujolais - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Restaurant Le Mercurey in Mercurey - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

At Domaine Theulot­-Juillot in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, with Nathalie Theulot - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour of Château de Rully and Tasting of Domaine du Château de Rully Wines, with Count Raoul de Ternay - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Michel Prunier & Fille in Auxey­ Duresses, Côte de Beaune - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Where Robert Parker likes to Eat: Lunch at La Crémaillère in Auxey-Duresses - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Walk in Meursault with Karoline Knoth - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner at the 1 Michelin Star Restaurant Ed.Em in Chassagne Montrachet - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet: Vineyard Walk and Cellar Tour, with Olivier and Patrick Leflaive - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Lunch and Wine Tasting at La Table de Olivier in Puligny Montrachet with Olivier Leflaive – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Visit: Hospices de Beaune – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Lunch in a Typical French Brasserie: Le Carnot in Beaune - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Visit and Tasting: Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne

An American Making Ultra-Premium Wines in Burgundy: Visit and Tasting at Domaine Dublère in Savigny­ lès­ Beaune, with Owner/ Winemaker Blair Pethel - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting Natural Wines with Maurice Marle at Chez Maurice in Beaune - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-­Saint­-George, Côte de Nuits

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean­-Jacques Confuron in Prémeaux­-Prissey Côte de Nuits with Louis Meunier

Lunch at Restaurant La Cabotte in Nuits-­Saint-­George

Visit and Tasting at Domaine Thibault Liger­-Belair in Nuits­-Saint­-George with Thibault Liger-­Belair

Visit of Château du Clos de Vougeot

Where the Most Expensive Red Wines Come from: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Anne Gros in Vosne­-Romanée, Côte de Nuits

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey­-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, with Jean-Michel Guillon

An Institution: Lunch at Restaurant Chez Guy in Gevrey­-Chambertin

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Armelle et Bernhard Rion in Vosne­-Romanée, Côte de Nuits, with Alice Rion

Tour at the Fontenay Abbey (Bernard de Clairveau), Montbard

Wine Pairing Lunch, Cellar Visit, Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean­ Marc Brocard in Préhy, Chablis

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars and other Wine Venues in Chablis, France

Champagne – An Introduction, France

French Champagne Houses and German Roots 

Visit and Tasting at the Grower Champagne House Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé­ sur ­Seine, Champagne, with Jean Pierre Josselin, his Wife and Sharona Tsubota

Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagner House AR Lenoble in Epernay, Champagne, with Export Manager Christian Holthausen

Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagner House Taittinger in Reims, Champagne

Lunch at Brasserie Flo in Reims

Best German Wines and Winemakers – Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2017 Awards, Germany

Picture: Nik Weis and Annette Schiller. See: Tasting at Weingut St. Urbans-Hof in Leiwen, Mosel, with Nik Weis – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

The Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2017 – one of the 4 main wine guides in Germany (along with GaultMillau, Feinschmecker and the relatively new Falstaff) - was released in November 2016.

In the Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2017 Gerhard Eichelmann presents 935 winemakers and reviews 11000 wines. For the rating of the winemakers, he employs a system that awards a winery up to five stars, where 5 stars indicate “world class, top international producers”. There are about 2 dozens of German winemakers in this group and I will post separately about the new list. The wines are assessed using a 50-100 point scale rating system.

Additionally, in each issue of the Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland a (1) Rising Star of the Year as well as the producers of the best collections of (2) red wines, (3) white wines and (4) noble-sweet wines are named. Further, Gerhard Eichelmann presents a “Classic of the Year” Wine and an Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Pictures: Gerhard Eichelmann and the Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2017 Award Recipients

Best White Wine Collection: Weingut Max Müller I in Volkach

Franken
18 hectares
38% Silvaner, 15% Riesling, 15% Müller-Thurgau

Gerhard Eichelmann: Already in the first edition of this guide 17 years ago, Rainer Müller was praised as an up-and-coming winemaker in Franconia. Together with his wife Monika, he led the estate to the peak. In recent years they have clearly structured and differentiated the range with their son Christian. Especially their Silvaner wines show variety and class.

Picture: Monika, Rainer and Christian Müller of Weingut Max Müller I (Photo: Facebook)

Best Red Wine Collection: Weingut Martin Wassmer

Baden
30 hectares
60% Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris

Gerhard Eichelmann: This is the first time that I selected a winemaker from the Baden Markgräflerland for best red wine collection. Martin Wassmer’s 2014 rd wines represent an impressive and harmonious red wine collection, including 4 Spätburgunder wines, which are very precise and very clearly distinguishable from each other.

Best Fruiuty-sweet and Noble-sweet Collection: Weingut Nik Weis - Sankt Urbans-Hof

Mosel
35 hectares
95% Riesling
VDP

Gerhard Eichelmann: Again in 2015, Nik Weis has to offer a number of “fat” wines, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslesen, wines for eternity. Already now exciting are the Kabinett, Spätlese and Auslese wines, all fascinating with complexity and freshness, race and elegance. And Nik Weis’s wine portfoilio offers you the possibility to contrast Mosel and Saar wines, At Nik Weis, beautiful Mosel and Saar can be juxtaposed, Goldtröpfchen and Bockstein, Saarfeilser and Laurentiuslay.

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut St. Urbans-Hof in Leiwen, Mosel, with Nik Weis – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Rising Star of the Year: Weingut Carl Ehrhard

Rheingau
10 hectares

Gerhard Eichelmann: Since the first edition of the Eichelmann WineGuide, I recommend Weingut Carl Ehrhard fin Rüdesheim. He is now at the helm of his estate for 20 years and the wines get better and better. Is it the serenity Carl Ehrhard or the fact that he lets express his wines the terroir where the grapes come from? The phalanx of his Rieslings from the Rüdesheimer Berg is impressive.

Picture: The Wines of Car Ehrhard (Photo: Facebook)

Klassiker des Jahres/ Classic of the Year: Halenberg, Nahe, Riesling, GG, Weingut Emrich-Schönleber

Nahe
18 hectares
85% Riesling
VDP

Gerhard Eichelmann: Every year a fascinating Riesling with a huge aging potential.

In addition to the 4 Wineries of the Year, Gerhard Eichelmann presents a Classic of the Year to be added to the "Mondo Classic Library", a list of the German Grand Cru wines from a grand vineyard.

Pictures: Table Weingut Barth/ Weingut Emrich-Schönleber with Chef Josef Lafer Jun., Zum Krug, Hattenheim, at the Riesling Gala 2016 at Kloster Eberbach. See: A Riesling Feast in an Historic Setting: Riesling Gala 2016 at Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau, Germany

Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement: Werner Knipser, Weingut Knipser in Laumersheim

Pfalz
56 hectares
30% Pinot Noir, 20% Riesling, 9% Merlot, 8% Chardonnay

Gerhard Eichelmann: In 1983. Werner Knipser began to ferment and age his wines in barrique, to increase the red wine share, to go back to the classical German red grape varieties, but also to experiment with international grape varieties. It was him who put Laumersheim on the map and establish the Pfalz as a serious red wine producer. But one should not forget also led, with his brother Volker, the estate the elite of German white wine producers.

Picture: Gerhard Eichelmann and Werner Knipser (Photo: Facebook)

schiller-wine: Related Postings -Eichelmann

For previous years, see:

Germany's 28 Best Winemakers - Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2016

Best German Wines and Winemakers – Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2016 Awards, Germany

Germany's Top 27 Winemakers: 5 out of 5 Grapes - Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2015

Best German Wines and Winemakers – Eichelmann Wine Guide Deutschland 2015 Awards, Germany

Germany’s 26 Top Winemakers - Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2014

Best German Winemakers – Eichelmann Wine Guide Deutschland 2014 Awards, Germany

Best German Wines and Winemakers – Eichelmann Wine Guide Deutschland 2013 Awards, Germany

Best German Wines - Eichelmann Wine Guide 2012 Awards, Germany

Wine ratings: German wine --- Eichelmann 2010  (Awards) 

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Heads up for the 2017 Tours - to Germany and France - by ombiasy WineTours

Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History

Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tasting at Weingut St. Urbans-Hof in Leiwen, Mosel, with Nik Weis – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

A Riesling Feast in an Historic Setting: Riesling Gala 2016 at Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau, Germany

Tasting were it all Started: At the "Garage" of Jean-Luc Thunevin, Owner and Winermaker of Château Valandraud, Premier Grand Cru Classé since 2012 - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Picture: Christian Schiller and Jean Luc Thunevin in Saint Emilion

Jean Luc Thunevin became a well known figure in the wine world in less than a decade, thanks to its successful garage wine, Château Valandraud. As part of the Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France we went to the place in Saint Emilion, where it all started and had a tasting of his wines, including a Château Valandraud.

Nicolas Seveno was our host.

Pictures: On the Way to the "Garage" of Jean-Luc Thunevin

Jean-Luc Thunevin

Jean-Luc Thunevin: Jean Luc Thunevin became a well known figure in the wine world in less than a decade, thanks to its successful garage wine, Château Valandraud.

It’s probabaly when tasting Le Pin, a Pomerol wine produced from a very small vineyard, that the desire to make a great wine by himself started. Obsessed by wine, opiniated and determined, he finally realized his dream in 1991, first vintage of Château Valandraud. This was the start of a fantastic adventure leading to a quick success.

Pictures: Tour of the "Garage" of Jean-Luc Thunevin

From then on, he became the inspiration and kind of a leader for other garagistes. All thess micro cuvées coming from low yield to become concentrated wines. The vineyard work is under the strict supervision of Murielle, Jean Luc’s wife, who leads her team to respect each vine and adapt the pruning individually, systematic deleafing campaigns and of course green harvesting are on the menu.

Jean Luc aims to harvest at full maturity, he also copied the Burgundy vinification ways (pigeage…) to reach an optimum concentration. The wine is produced with a constant research of excellency.

Pictures: Tasting were it all Started: At the "Garage" of Jean-Luc Thunevin, Owner and Winermaker of Château Valandraud, Premier Grand Cru Classé since 2012

Throughout his years of passionate work, Jean Luc Thunevin has mastered a know how that is now beneficial to other chateaux, such as Fleur Cardinale (Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé), Château Sansonnet (Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé), Château La Vieille Cure (Fronsac). He has previrously worked for Château Marojallia (Margaux), Branon (Graves) or Château La Dominique (Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé). Murielle Andraud and Jean Luc Thunevin are owners and producers in Pomerol too with Clos du Beau Père and Domaine des Sabines (Lalande de Pomerol) and are also the co owners of Domaine Thunevin–Calvet in Roussillon.

All Thunevin produced wines are sold via the Thunevin wine merchant company.

The Wines we Tasted

2014 Bad Boy Bordeaux

wine-searcher average price: US$14

Jean Luc Thunevin has repeatedly been called « Saint Emilion’s bad boy » or « Bordeaux’s black sheep » by Robert Parker, and it has given him the idea to create a cuvée called Bad Boy (Mauvais Garçon).

In 2007, Bad Boy 2005 has been released, under the regular Bordeaux appellation, as the regulations did not authorize then new blendings. It was just a matter of time to see the family grow with a Baby Bad Boy (Petit Garçon) when the Vin de France regulation authorized unseen blendings (Merlot/Grenache for us), it then quickly became mandatory to have a bubbly Crémant de Bordeaux Bad Girl (dry white and rosé) ….

And the family still grows with the 2 newest Bad Boys : 100 % Chardonnay and 100 % Syrah, both « Vin de France », even if they are produced in Saint Genes de Castillon , near Château Valandraud’s vineyard.

The bottling of the cuvee BAD BOY 2014 produced 85 000 bottles. 80% merlot 10% cabernet Franc 5% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot with vines at least 50 years old in a great terroir of clayey limestone mainly.

Jean Luc Thunevin: I was able to create this 2014 cuvée, as one would say during the Academy Awards, thanks to my parents without who this would have been impossible; my wife and my daughter who accept my crazy ideas, my bank manager who keeps on backing me, hoping that it will work, my past and future customers who always trust me, wine merchants from Bordeaux and brokers (who for this time are not the reason for this cuvee!), and especially, I thank: Robert Parker who gave me the idea to call this cuvée Bad Boy with one of his comments on Valandraud: “A terrific effort from bad boy.

and leading garagiste, Jean-Luc Thunevin, and his sidekick, Murielle Andraud, the inky/blue/purple-tinged 2005 Valandraud exhibits superb aromas of graphite, black currants, blackberries, violets, white chocolate, sweet licorice, and espresso roast. Boasting great intensity, full-bodied power, beautiful purity, and layers of complexity, this stunning wine should be unusually long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025+.

2014 Moulin du Cadet Saint Emilion Grand Cru

wine-searcher average price: US$24

2014 Clos Badon Saint Emilion Grand Cru

wine-searcher average price: US$40

Clos Badon Thunevin is located between the vines of Pavie and Larcis Ducasse, on the same level as Canon la Gaffelière.

Surface : 6.5 ha
Soils : sands and gravels
Grape varieties planted : Merlot 70%, Cabernet Franc 30%
Average age of the vines : 30 years
Ageing : 18 months in new barrels
Production : 12 000 bottles

The 2014 Clos Badon is a dark, voluptuous beauty endowed with considerable richness and raciness. Super-ripe black cherries, mocha, bittersweet chocolate, new oak and spices flesh out in an inky, intense wine. The style is decidedly ripe, plush and opulent, with all the elements in place . Still, Clos Badon is quite extroverted. Antonio Galloni

2011 Virginie de Valandraud Saint Emilion Grand Cru

wine-searcher average price: US$58

Established in 1992 as a second wine, Virginie de Valandraud (Virginie is the name of Jean-Luc Thunevin’s daughter ), is grown and vinified in the same way as Château Valandraud by the same teams with the same care and the same methods, under the direction of Jean-Luc Thunevin, the chef de culture Christophe Lardière and the cellar master Rémi Dalmasso.

Surface : 8,88 ha vineyards in Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Soils : clayey limestone
Grape varieties planted on the property : 65 % Merlot, Cabernet Franc 25 %, Cabernet Sauvignon 5 %, Malbec 4 % and Carmenère1%
Vinification with temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, manual punching of the cap, pumping-over, maceration about three weeks.
Average age of the vines : 30 years old
Ageing : 18 to 20 months in 100 % new oak barrels
Production : 15,000 bottles (average)

An attractive, richly fruity, spicy wine, the 2011 Virginie de Valandraud reveals hints of Christmas baking spices, mocha and black cherries along with supple tannins, decent acidity and a round, corpulent mouthfeel. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. RP

2012 Clos Romanile Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

wine-searcher average price: US$26

2013 Valandraud Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

wine-searcher average price: US$121

Château Valandraud is the achievement reached by a wine obsessed couple, Jean Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud. Once having succeeded in establishing a wine merchant company in Saint Emilion( still up and running), their wish was to own a vineyard and make their own wine.

In 1989 they turned their dream into reality by buying a small plot in the Fongaban central area of Saint Emilion, between Pavie-Maquin and La Clotte. The name Valandraud is a pure creation mixing Val (as the 1st plot is based in the Fongaban Valley) and Andraud (family name of Murielle that can be traced back to 1459 in the Saint Emilion registry)

Little by little, they bought several plots and now Château Valandraud’s 8.88 ha vineyard is fully based in Saint Etienne de Lisse.

Our technical team is constantly seeking technical improvements and all processes combine tradition and modernity, from the care of the vineyard to the harvest done by hand, first sorting being done during the hand picking of the ripe grapes.

The harvest is then carried to our organic inspired cellar, and the grapes are once more sorted by a Tribaie. The fermentation takes place in different tanks : stainless steel, concrete and wood. Once the alcoholic fermentation is done, the newly born Valandraud goes in oak barrels ( 100% new for each vintage) to start the malolactic fermentation. The ageing is from then on a game of « wait and see taste » and lasts from 18 to 30 months. The bottling of the wine (non filtreted, non fined) is handled by our team and own bottling group.

The success of Valandraud was an inspiration for many and created the infamous appellation known as «garage wines » !

Château Valandraud has been promoted to 1st classified growth of Saint Emilion since vintage 2012, 21 years after its creation.

Surface: 8.88 hectares
Soils : clayey limestone and quartz-gravel
Grape varieties-planted : 65 % Merlot, Cabernet Franc, 25 %, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%, Malbec 4%, Carmenère 1%
Average age of vines : 30 years
Vinification with temperature controlled in stainless steel tanks, manual punching of the cap, pumping-over, maceration about three weeks.
Ageing : 18 to 30 months in 100 % new oak barrels
Average Production: 15000 bottles

Bye-bye

Picture: Annette Schiller and Nicolas Seveno

Postings on the Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France (Posted and Forthcoming)

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

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Bordeaux - En Primeur, Negociants, Courtiers, the Quai de Chartons and the Place de Bordeaux – A Short Introduction

How Does the Negociant System in Bordeaux Work? Tour and Tasting at Millésima - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

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Dinner with a View: At Restaurant L’Estacade in Bordeaux City - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Bordeaux City, France

Schiller's Favorite Seafood Places in Bordeaux City, France

Saint Emilion Wines and their Classification, Bordeaux, France

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in St. Emilion, France

The Wine Empire of the von Neipperg Family in France, Bulgaria and Germany

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Tour and Tasting at Château Beauregard, Appellation Pomerol – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Tour with Dany Rolland: Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Tasting were it all Started: At the "Garage" of Jean-Luc Thunevin, Owner and Winermaker of Château Valandraud, Premier Grand Cru Classé since 2012

Charcuterie and Cheese at Chez Pascal

Tour and Tasting at Château de Fargues, Sauternes, with Prince Eudes d’Orléans

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 1-star Michelin Restaurant Claude Darozze, with Marie-Hélène Lévêque, Owner of Châteaux Chantegrive

Tour of Château de Chantegrive, Appellation Grave

Tour and Tasting at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé.

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 2-star Michelin Restaurant La Grande Vigne (at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte)

Tour of the new Musee du Vin in Bordeaux City

Seafood lunch at Pinasse Cafe in Cap Ferret

Tour of the Earl Ostrea Chanca Oyster Farm and Oyster Tasting in Grand-Piquey, with Oyster Farmer Ralph Doerfler

The 5 Premiers Grands Crus Chateaux en 1855 of Bordeaux, France

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

Tourt and tasting at Château Palmer, Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron, Pauillac, 2ième Grand Cru Classé

Wine Lunch at Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron, Pauillac, 2ième Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe, 4ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Michel Tesseron

At the Invitation of Owner Michel Tesseron: Private Dinner at Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe, 4ième Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Sociando Mallet, Appellation Haut-Médoc

How a Barrel is Made: Visit of the Cooperage Berger & Fils in Vertheuil

Lunch were the Locals eat: At Le Peyrat in Saint-Estèphe in Saint Estephe

Tour and Tasting at Château Léoville Poyferré, Saint-Julien, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, with Anne Cuvelier

Tour and Tasting at Château Margaux, Appellation Margaux, 1ière Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

Picnic Lunch at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

Tour and Wine Dinner at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Daina Paulin