Chateau Valandraud - Chateau Valandraud Blanc 2021

Dunnuck: "The Grand Vin 2021 Château Valandraud Blanc is mostly Sauvignon Gris but includes 30% Sauvignon Blanc and a splash of Semillon. Crushed stone, pineapple, and bright citrus give way to a medium-bodied, concentrated, incredibly pure, precise white displaying everything that makes this vintage so promising for the whites. As with all the whites here, it has a low pH, racy acidity, yet terrific mid-palate depth, beautiful balance, and a gorgeous finish. This will stand up to the best whites in the vintage."

Neal Martin: "The 2021 Valandraud Blanc was picked September 7–20 and matured in 80% new oak. The nose is well defined and complex, featuring apple blossom, honeysuckle, white chocolate and white linen scents that gently unfold with time. The palate is fresh, vibrant, powerful and judiciously spiced, with a slight waxiness to the texture, and it fans out beautifully on the finish. Superb. Just 3,500 bottles produced."

Suckling: "A full-bodied, serious white with complex notes already of flint, crushed stones, white pears, white lavender, cedar, fennel and lemon grass. Mineral and subtly spicy finish. Structured. Nicely done."

Galloni: "The 2021 Valandraud Blanc is captivating. In most vintages, the Blanc is built on textural richness, but the 2021 has an airy quality that is so alluring. Orchard fruit, lemon confit, jasmine, white pepper and a discreet touch of oak are beautifully woven together. The Blanc remains gracious and light on its feet, with impeccable balance and tons of sheer class. I loved it."

Decanter: "Gorgeous nose, perfumed peach, pear and floral notes - so appealing and welcoming. Graceful and charming on the palate, this has depth of flavour with a lovely core of juicy white fruits with a steely saltiness giving it that push-pull of fruit and minerality. This has character - it's not a massively weighty wine but has precision and refinement, presenting the elements delicately but still with structure and frame. The flavours linger and they are all perfectly balanced. I love the shot of lemon, bitter orange and cool stone saline touches. Both the red and white grand vins are delicious and successful in 2021."

Wine Advocate: "The 2021 Valandraud Blanc is a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy wine bursting with aromas of orchard fruit, confit citrus and pastry cream. As ever, it's one of the fatter, more textural white wines produced in Bordeaux, even in this cooler vintage."