The N° 1 and N°2 whites of Valandraud are changing their names to Valandraud Blanc and Virginie de Valandraud Blanc and remain in AOC Bordeaux.
Open door in Saint Emilion on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday May 1st at 6 pm. For Clos Badon the visit will be in the historical cellar of Valandraud in the village of Saint Emilion neasr the restaurant Le Clos Du Roy, 16 rue de la Petite Fontaine.
For Valandraud, it will take place in Saint Etienne de Lisse, between Fleur Cardinale, Rol Valentin, Pressac and Faugères, in the ex-château Bel Air Ouÿ.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Serving temperature
We tasted, (actually, we drank), with Calvert Woodley : Valandraud 2010, served at the temperature of the store L’Essentiel, in other words close to 20/21° Celcius (68/70° F). The wine was incredibly fine and soft, with no harshness often noticeable with young wines tasted en primeur at 17/18°(63/65°). You can read on the site of Loisel (in French) everything about the ideal temperature.
The more a wine has structure, the more the ideal tasting temperature will reach 19-20° Celcius (68/84° F), which is the case for this young and structured wine with a level of tannins close to 90.
I am always afraid of serving wines too warm (which is one of the major mistakes done in restaurants in France) for often serving a wine too cold.
Regarding temperature, the 2011 season starts well, hot. As of today, the vines are probably more than two weeks ahead. They are thriving in the Mediterranean climate, and in my usual worried way, I think about the risks of frost which would be catastrophic.
For dinner, we enjoyed a wine made by Mariano Garcia (ex Vega Sicilia): Aalot PS 2006, Ribera del Duero, balanced and powerful. This is the result when Trempanillo is picked ripe. 96 points given by Jay Miller from the Wine Advocate and 93 from Neal Martin.
The more a wine has structure, the more the ideal tasting temperature will reach 19-20° Celcius (68/84° F), which is the case for this young and structured wine with a level of tannins close to 90.
I am always afraid of serving wines too warm (which is one of the major mistakes done in restaurants in France) for often serving a wine too cold.
Regarding temperature, the 2011 season starts well, hot. As of today, the vines are probably more than two weeks ahead. They are thriving in the Mediterranean climate, and in my usual worried way, I think about the risks of frost which would be catastrophic.
For dinner, we enjoyed a wine made by Mariano Garcia (ex Vega Sicilia): Aalot PS 2006, Ribera del Duero, balanced and powerful. This is the result when Trempanillo is picked ripe. 96 points given by Jay Miller from the Wine Advocate and 93 from Neal Martin.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
En primeur releases
The futures campaign is starting slowly with the release of a series of wines we have been working with for a several years. The owners are friends and the qualities of the wine as well as our customers have allowed us to be useful partners for the distribution of these wines.
Marjosse blanc, Clos Floridene, Doisy Daene and Reynon Blanc, Mont Perat et Girolate (there is a strong demand in Japan for these wines where they are stars) and Tour Maillet à Pomerol.
The prices are similar to last year; still it is not a sign for future releases. In any case, increase, balance and decrease are still possible.
The wines listed sell well, even as futures, for even if they are not speculative, not buying them en primeur would make them impossible to buy at the property but at one of my colleagues for a higher price.
Marjosse blanc, Clos Floridene, Doisy Daene and Reynon Blanc, Mont Perat et Girolate (there is a strong demand in Japan for these wines where they are stars) and Tour Maillet à Pomerol.
The prices are similar to last year; still it is not a sign for future releases. In any case, increase, balance and decrease are still possible.
The wines listed sell well, even as futures, for even if they are not speculative, not buying them en primeur would make them impossible to buy at the property but at one of my colleagues for a higher price.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Waiting for the notes from the Boss
Fleur Cardinale – Troplong Mondot –Valandraud by Jeff Leve !
On Mark Squire’s BB, Fleur Cardinale was given 93-95 by Jeff Leve and approved by Parker!
On Jeff Leve’s site Wine Cellar Insider , there is a nice picture of Florence hidden behind Dominique, the 2010 vintage is compared to the superb 2005. It will make them happy while they are travelling through Asia.
Troplong Mondot, with Jeff Leve’s 97-98, which, for him, seems to be one of the best Troplong Mondot produced, same for Valandraud with 96-98 and a nice picture of Murielle drinking our white.
It is clear that 2010 is a great vintage, different from any other considering what nature was able to provide: balance between acidity, amazing freshness, ripeness and major concentration, all with high levels of alcohol and yet little problem for the overall balance of the wine.
On Mark Squire’s BB, Fleur Cardinale was given 93-95 by Jeff Leve and approved by Parker!
On Jeff Leve’s site Wine Cellar Insider , there is a nice picture of Florence hidden behind Dominique, the 2010 vintage is compared to the superb 2005. It will make them happy while they are travelling through Asia.
Troplong Mondot, with Jeff Leve’s 97-98, which, for him, seems to be one of the best Troplong Mondot produced, same for Valandraud with 96-98 and a nice picture of Murielle drinking our white.
It is clear that 2010 is a great vintage, different from any other considering what nature was able to provide: balance between acidity, amazing freshness, ripeness and major concentration, all with high levels of alcohol and yet little problem for the overall balance of the wine.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
2010
If I believe Bertrand Le Guern’s site, there are, this year 2010, 465 wines rated by critics, journalists and merchants!
Usually, only 100 wines are sold as futures in great vintages, it can go to around 300 some selling well some less.
A few wines are being released; this futures campaign will most likely be late due to the multiple factor: 2nd, even 3rd great vintage, asking price, Vinexpo, Japan, the American economy and these are just the recent news.
In the meantime, 57 wines rated with more than 95/100 by 6 critics.
Decanter published its notes for Saint Emilion Grands Crus Classés
Faurie de Souchard 3 stars 15.5
La Dominique 4 stars 17.5
Fleur Cardinale 4 stars 17 - like Clos des Jacobins
La Couspaude 4 stars 16.5
Le Prieuré 4 stars 17.5
Cheval Blanc 5 stars 20
Troplong Mondot 5 stars 18.5
Usually, only 100 wines are sold as futures in great vintages, it can go to around 300 some selling well some less.
A few wines are being released; this futures campaign will most likely be late due to the multiple factor: 2nd, even 3rd great vintage, asking price, Vinexpo, Japan, the American economy and these are just the recent news.
In the meantime, 57 wines rated with more than 95/100 by 6 critics.
Decanter published its notes for Saint Emilion Grands Crus Classés
Faurie de Souchard 3 stars 15.5
La Dominique 4 stars 17.5
Fleur Cardinale 4 stars 17 - like Clos des Jacobins
La Couspaude 4 stars 16.5
Le Prieuré 4 stars 17.5
Cheval Blanc 5 stars 20
Troplong Mondot 5 stars 18.5
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Decanter, continued
Success for Pomerol and the Right Bank according to James Lawther, MW
La Violette 18
Le Moulin 17
Fayat 16
Clos du Beau Père 16
Sabines 16
Haut Carles 16
La Vieille Cure 15.5
Sansonnet 16.5 comme Peby Faugères et Rol Valentin
Valandraud 18
Virginie de Valandraud 17
Pressac 16
Gracia 15
The theme for Saturday evening was the 60s to celebrate my birthday…
La Violette 18
Le Moulin 17
Fayat 16
Clos du Beau Père 16
Sabines 16
Haut Carles 16
La Vieille Cure 15.5
Sansonnet 16.5 comme Peby Faugères et Rol Valentin
Valandraud 18
Virginie de Valandraud 17
Pressac 16
Gracia 15
The theme for Saturday evening was the 60s to celebrate my birthday…
Friday, April 15, 2011
Coming up
Open door in Saint Emilion on April 30 and May 1st : in Clos Badon (ex garage from Valandraud) in Saint Emilion, rue de la Petite Fontaine (near the restaurant Le Clos Du Roy) and in Valandraud in Saint Etienne de Lisse, between Fleur Cardinale and Pressac.
We will also be present in Revue du Vin de France show in Palais Brongniart, in Paris on May 14 and 15.
We will also be present in Revue du Vin de France show in Palais Brongniart, in Paris on May 14 and 15.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Jancis Robinson and Bordeaux 2010
To have access to all the notes and comments, I recommend taking a subscription to her site (especially if you are in working in the industry)!
For the whites : Valandraud Blanc 2010 17 - Virginie de Valandraud blanc 15.5 / Domaine de Chevalier 17.5, Malartic Lagravière 16
And the reds : Carmes Haut Brion 16, Pape Clément 16.5, Bel Air Ouÿ 16, Cheval Blanc 18.5, La Couspaude 16, Croix de Labrie 15.5, La Dominique 17.5, Fleur Cardinale 17, Pressac 15.5, Le Prieuré 16.5, Prieuré Lescours 15.5, Figeac 16.5, Sansonnet 16, Valandraud 17, La Mauriane 16.5, Du Parc 17, Patris 15.5, Pavie 17, La Mondotte 17
The notes and comments of Robert Parker/ Wine Advocate on the 2010 and 2008 vintages will be published on May 3 2011…
On Jacques Berthomeau’s site (in French), you can read a big and nice article on Baronne G. and our Bad Girl. Thanks Jacques
During the week of futures tastings, we drank a few bottles which Kate listed:
SUNDAY 04/03
BAD GIRL
ECHEZEAUX 99 DOM LAURENT
GEVREY AUX COMBOTTES 99 LIGNIER H
ECHEZEAUX 94 GILLES JAYER
VOLNAY 07 DOMAINE FRANCOIS BLIGNY
VOLNAY 1ER CRU FREMIETS 07 PASCAL ET FRANCOIS CHARLES
MAURY 04
MONDAY 04/04
GRANGES DES PERES 06
BULGARIE ENIRA 06 ( 80% merlot 20 % syrah)
CHILI LAURENT DASSAULT 02
AFRIQUE DU SUD 02 PINOTAGE BONNE NOUVELLE M ROLLAND
CLOS L'EGLISE 01 POMEROL
MUNTADA 01
CLOS BADON 99 MAGNUM
ALSACE 07 DEISS
TUESDAY 04/05:
MEURSAULT 1ER CRU CHARMES 06 BUISSON CHARLES
VALANDRAUD 07
PAPE CLEMENT 07
PAVIE 03
CHEVAL BLANC 01
PINGUS 07
MOULINE GUIGAL 04
ARMIA DIEL SCHLOSSGUT DIEL 03 RIESLING EISWEIN
YQUEM 02
PAUL TRIEBUMER 96 RUSTER AUSBRUCH OSTERREICH
WEDNESDAY 04/06:
MEURSAULT 1ER CRU CRAS 07 BUISSON CHARLES
CLARENDON HILLS 01 SYRAH
LA PETITE SIBERIE 07
AUSONE 03
VALANDRAUD 07
THURSDAY 04/07:
CLOS DU PARADIS AUXERROIS 09 CHATEAU PAUQUE LUXEMBOURG
PETILLANT G
RACIA 99
TENUTA DI TRINORO ROSSO DI TOSCANNA 98 ITALIE
VALANDRAUD 05
HUGO 06 THUNEVIN-CALVET
LES QUARTS DE JUCHEPIE EDDY MILENE OOSTERLINCK BRACKE
For the whites : Valandraud Blanc 2010 17 - Virginie de Valandraud blanc 15.5 / Domaine de Chevalier 17.5, Malartic Lagravière 16
And the reds : Carmes Haut Brion 16, Pape Clément 16.5, Bel Air Ouÿ 16, Cheval Blanc 18.5, La Couspaude 16, Croix de Labrie 15.5, La Dominique 17.5, Fleur Cardinale 17, Pressac 15.5, Le Prieuré 16.5, Prieuré Lescours 15.5, Figeac 16.5, Sansonnet 16, Valandraud 17, La Mauriane 16.5, Du Parc 17, Patris 15.5, Pavie 17, La Mondotte 17
The notes and comments of Robert Parker/ Wine Advocate on the 2010 and 2008 vintages will be published on May 3 2011…
On Jacques Berthomeau’s site (in French), you can read a big and nice article on Baronne G. and our Bad Girl. Thanks Jacques
During the week of futures tastings, we drank a few bottles which Kate listed:
SUNDAY 04/03
BAD GIRL
ECHEZEAUX 99 DOM LAURENT
GEVREY AUX COMBOTTES 99 LIGNIER H
ECHEZEAUX 94 GILLES JAYER
VOLNAY 07 DOMAINE FRANCOIS BLIGNY
VOLNAY 1ER CRU FREMIETS 07 PASCAL ET FRANCOIS CHARLES
MAURY 04
MONDAY 04/04
GRANGES DES PERES 06
BULGARIE ENIRA 06 ( 80% merlot 20 % syrah)
CHILI LAURENT DASSAULT 02
AFRIQUE DU SUD 02 PINOTAGE BONNE NOUVELLE M ROLLAND
CLOS L'EGLISE 01 POMEROL
MUNTADA 01
CLOS BADON 99 MAGNUM
ALSACE 07 DEISS
TUESDAY 04/05:
MEURSAULT 1ER CRU CHARMES 06 BUISSON CHARLES
VALANDRAUD 07
PAPE CLEMENT 07
PAVIE 03
CHEVAL BLANC 01
PINGUS 07
MOULINE GUIGAL 04
ARMIA DIEL SCHLOSSGUT DIEL 03 RIESLING EISWEIN
YQUEM 02
PAUL TRIEBUMER 96 RUSTER AUSBRUCH OSTERREICH
WEDNESDAY 04/06:
MEURSAULT 1ER CRU CRAS 07 BUISSON CHARLES
CLARENDON HILLS 01 SYRAH
LA PETITE SIBERIE 07
AUSONE 03
VALANDRAUD 07
THURSDAY 04/07:
CLOS DU PARADIS AUXERROIS 09 CHATEAU PAUQUE LUXEMBOURG
PETILLANT G
RACIA 99
TENUTA DI TRINORO ROSSO DI TOSCANNA 98 ITALIE
VALANDRAUD 05
HUGO 06 THUNEVIN-CALVET
LES QUARTS DE JUCHEPIE EDDY MILENE OOSTERLINCK BRACKE
Cheval Blanc 2010
This Wednesday, April 13, was a special day for me, Pierre Lurton showed me around the new cellar still under construction and which should be finished before the month of June, for Vinexpo. It was the first time I visited it. Well, it’s well conceived, grandiose and simple, and undoubtedly practical, when an architect understands the objectives of his client and the owners have taste and the means of their ambition, it can give beautiful results. Cheval Blanc will obviously benefit from it, but also Saint Emilion, Pomerol, the right bank, Bordeaux. I should thank you in advance for all those visitors who will come to Saint Emilion, sleep, eat and buy wine in our stores. 
We took this opportunity to taste the 2010 vintage: Quinault L'Enclos elegant, La Tour du Pin which shows its terroir, and the amazing quality of the 2nd wine - but who can speak of a second wine? This Petit Cheval is simply of very high standard, and of course Cheval Blanc 2010 will be one of this vintage’s top wines: smooth, full, long, it’s got everything and nothing shows. Class! (I even drank it). I also tasted Yquem 2010, a great delicacy, with purity and rare elegance.
Decanter and Bordeaux 2010: Hard to understand, but after much pondering, there is a lot of information on this grid. Out of the wines already rated, I saw this nice 20/20 for Cheval Blanc, 18.5 for La Conseillante, 19 for Ducru Beaucaillou, 19 for Yquem, 16.5 for La Couspaude, 17.5 for La Dominique and Lascombes, 17 for Lagrange and Talbot, 18.5 for Le Pin and Léoville Poyferré, Pape Clément, Angélus and Domaine de Chevalier. Cos D’Estournel 19, Petit Cheval 17, Pontet Canet and Troplong Mondot 18.5….
We took this opportunity to taste the 2010 vintage: Quinault L'Enclos elegant, La Tour du Pin which shows its terroir, and the amazing quality of the 2nd wine - but who can speak of a second wine? This Petit Cheval is simply of very high standard, and of course Cheval Blanc 2010 will be one of this vintage’s top wines: smooth, full, long, it’s got everything and nothing shows. Class! (I even drank it). I also tasted Yquem 2010, a great delicacy, with purity and rare elegance.
Decanter and Bordeaux 2010: Hard to understand, but after much pondering, there is a lot of information on this grid. Out of the wines already rated, I saw this nice 20/20 for Cheval Blanc, 18.5 for La Conseillante, 19 for Ducru Beaucaillou, 19 for Yquem, 16.5 for La Couspaude, 17.5 for La Dominique and Lascombes, 17 for Lagrange and Talbot, 18.5 for Le Pin and Léoville Poyferré, Pape Clément, Angélus and Domaine de Chevalier. Cos D’Estournel 19, Petit Cheval 17, Pontet Canet and Troplong Mondot 18.5….
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Primeurs (futures)
On Mark Squire’s BB, you can read comments on our 2010 Bordeaux posted by:
Izak Litwar
Jörgen Lindström
Kevin Shin
Jeff Leve
Gil Lempert Schwartz
And more comments on François Audouze’s blog – who came to my place and tasted many wines… except mine!
Sunday evening for dinner, we drank: Bad Girl 2009, La Dominique and Pressac 2008, Valandraud 2004, our Maury 2007 and the rest of the bottle of Tokay 2000 from one of our guest exhibitor...
The Rolls Royce left for the Medoc, Gentlemanclassiccar.com came to pick it up for new adventures...
Izak Litwar
Jörgen Lindström
Kevin Shin
Jeff Leve
Gil Lempert Schwartz
And more comments on François Audouze’s blog – who came to my place and tasted many wines… except mine!
Sunday evening for dinner, we drank: Bad Girl 2009, La Dominique and Pressac 2008, Valandraud 2004, our Maury 2007 and the rest of the bottle of Tokay 2000 from one of our guest exhibitor...
The Rolls Royce left for the Medoc, Gentlemanclassiccar.com came to pick it up for new adventures...
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Read
I read Mario Scheuermann’s comments on Bellevue La Randée, Christian Dalbavie’s message promoting La Puce on the Wine Spectator’s website, photos and tasting comments posted by François Mauss and a 1st place for Valandraud in a blind tasting organized at Chateau de Pressac.
Miss Vicky Wine and her tasting comments, Mr Berthomeau and his interest in Bad Girl, well well...
Hervé Bizeul and his pertinent comments.
Jeff Leve and his Wine Cellar Insider with a nice article about us
Comments on the site of La Passion du Vin.
On Mark Squire’s BB, Kevin Shin regularly places Valandraud 1st in blind tastings. Thanks Kevin!
Desseauve twitting his special recommendations for Bad Boy and the Blanc de Valandraud: great palate.
On the site of the Wine Spectator, more good notes for my friends’ wines, noting that he is tougher than James Suckling: La Couspaude 90-93, Faurie de Souchard 89-92, Aster de la Roche Beaulieu 89-92.
IloveSaintEmilion with a big article on Murielle written by Maryline (hurrah for Bad Girls!) The Japanese Tomoyuki Kitada is becoming a major patron of the town of Saint Emilion.
And finally 8000 visitors came to Bordeaux to taste the 2010 vintage, according to AFP.
Miss Vicky Wine and her tasting comments, Mr Berthomeau and his interest in Bad Girl, well well...
Hervé Bizeul and his pertinent comments.
Jeff Leve and his Wine Cellar Insider with a nice article about us
Comments on the site of La Passion du Vin.
On Mark Squire’s BB, Kevin Shin regularly places Valandraud 1st in blind tastings. Thanks Kevin!
Desseauve twitting his special recommendations for Bad Boy and the Blanc de Valandraud: great palate.
On the site of the Wine Spectator, more good notes for my friends’ wines, noting that he is tougher than James Suckling: La Couspaude 90-93, Faurie de Souchard 89-92, Aster de la Roche Beaulieu 89-92.
IloveSaintEmilion with a big article on Murielle written by Maryline (hurrah for Bad Girls!) The Japanese Tomoyuki Kitada is becoming a major patron of the town of Saint Emilion.
And finally 8000 visitors came to Bordeaux to taste the 2010 vintage, according to AFP.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Long live the Americans
We are seeing more Americans visitors and had a busy afternoon, southern cooking for lunch created a good atmosphere.
Additional good ratings from the Wine Spectator; this time for Bordeaux “petits chateaux” like our Mauvais Graçon- Bad Boy : 88-91, Lafont-Fourcat 88-91 but also second picks from Jean Marc Quarin, Cour D'Argent 87-90, Marjosse 87-90, Présidial 87-90, Domaine Virginie Thunevin in Bordeaux 87-90, and the superb 86-89 for both Bellevue La Randée and Subilaux.
Thierry Desseauve has also given a special selection for Valandraud blanc. We’ve seen worst days! Considering such visitors like Jancis, Jane, Mario, Peter, Thierry, Georg... as well as Russians, English, etc....
Additional good ratings from the Wine Spectator; this time for Bordeaux “petits chateaux” like our Mauvais Graçon- Bad Boy : 88-91, Lafont-Fourcat 88-91 but also second picks from Jean Marc Quarin, Cour D'Argent 87-90, Marjosse 87-90, Présidial 87-90, Domaine Virginie Thunevin in Bordeaux 87-90, and the superb 86-89 for both Bellevue La Randée and Subilaux.
Thierry Desseauve has also given a special selection for Valandraud blanc. We’ve seen worst days! Considering such visitors like Jancis, Jane, Mario, Peter, Thierry, Georg... as well as Russians, English, etc....
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Primeurs
No time to write as we have a lot of visitor, good weather, a large U.S. presence, which is a very good sign for this market which is becoming one of my priorities. Meals and wine, televisions and journalists, clients, friends and even bankers...
I recommend reading Daniel S comment posted on April 5. The diary of a passionate of the right bank and good ratings from the Wine Spectator for Marojallia, Clos Margalaine and Bellevue de Tayac which is simply its best year!
I recommend reading Daniel S comment posted on April 5. The diary of a passionate of the right bank and good ratings from the Wine Spectator for Marojallia, Clos Margalaine and Bellevue de Tayac which is simply its best year!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Wine Spectator
The Wine Spectator just released their notes for the Right Bank. James Molesworth gave good ratings to my wines and those I consult for. Thanks 
and especially thanks for the 95-98, the best note in Saint Emilion with Cheval Blanc, La Mondotte and Pavie Macquin.
and especially thanks for the 95-98, the best note in Saint Emilion with Cheval Blanc, La Mondotte and Pavie Macquin. James Molesworth is tougher and gives lower notes than James Suckling, so this pleases me even more with this 95-98. Nice notes as well for Fleur Cardinale 91-94, Sansonnet 90-93 and La Dominique 92-95.
James Suckling also posted his notes and comments on his internet site.
Lafite Rothschild plans to sell mix cases like Romanée Conti, and there are some rumors of buying vineyards in Sauternes in order to enlarge Rieussec ?
Haut Brion also plans to buy a 1st growth in Sauternes; will there finally be a golden era for Sauternes?
A blind tasting like the ones from European Grand Jury is planned at Chateau Lascombes, this time a 1st growth from the left bank would finance a comparative tasting with the best garagist from the right bank. Did I hear right bank? I can already hear the comments if this 1st growth finishes in the first place 
Friday, April 1, 2011
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