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Decanter: Plums, cherries and blackcurrant leaf aromas, vanilla, cream, cinnamon. Supple and alive, this has energy and push - flesh and acidity - so there’s focus and brightness with a lovely firm structure. Great length and focus. Nothing out of place here, so round, so balanced, so drinkable. A really compelling Virginie this year - subtle, finessed, elegant, juicy and so charming. Wow this really brings a smile to your face. The last vintage made under the ownership of Jean-Luc Thunevin who has sold his majority share to Christophe and Marie Lefévère (Château Sansonnet, Château Moulin du Cadet, Château Villemaurine)."
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Jeb Dunnuck: The 35th vintage of this cuvée, the 2025 Virginie De Valandraud now comes from four different parcels of clay and limestone soils, and it has been dramatically reduced in quantity (not quality) to concentrate on a more limestone-driven profile. It has a remarkably pure perfume of black raspberry and blue fruit as well as chalky minerality, liquid violets, graphite, and Asian spices. I love its overall balance, and on the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It has a clear Valandraud-like profile and style, and it's a beautiful wine that's resting in 90% new barrels with 10% in foudre, hitting 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.5."
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James Suckling: Chalky and medium- to full-bodied with dark fruit and fine definition from the tannins, which are chalky and gradually resolve toward the finish. 90% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon."
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Jane Anson: One plot of Valandraud has gone into Virginie this year, plus an excellent plot located between Rocheyron and Laroque, with a recentering around the limestone plateau. You see the impact in the taste profile, with more sculpted salinity, bright vivid red fruits, still with the creamy mid palate and grilled oak that is so essential to the character of all the Thunevin wines. 40% less production than usual, due to the introduction of the two new wines Côte-Milon and Calvaire, 90% new oak. 3.5 pH. First vintage of Marie Lefévère as full owner."
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Vinum: Expressiv, mit dunklen und roten Beeren, etwas Tabak, Rauchnoten; am Gaumen knackige Frucht, sehr reichhaltig, dabei elegant, der Wein ist saftig und deutlich frischer und eleganter als auch schon, gut verpacktes Holz, kalkige Gerbstoffe; ausbalanciert, rotfruchtig und mit würzigem Finale. Ein ausgezeichneter Virginie de Valandraud."
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The Wine Cellar Insider: Flowers, licorice, plums, smoke, and spices come to the surface in the perfume. Medium-bodied, soft, bright, fresh, and fruity, with a cool endnote blending crushed stones with sweet fruits. This is a beautiful baby Valandraud. The wine blends 90% Merlot, with 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2028-2040."
