Thursday, April 5th and Wine Spectator's Notes

First, the good news: 92-95, the 2nd highest score of the vintage behind Cheval Blanc which has 93-96! In addition our wine was tasted blind outside our property.
Last Thursday, a lot of visitors came, nice attendance, especially at 12:30 pm. It is true that Serge and his aides can perform miracles!

Everything is fresh and good and bottles offered by exhibitors make this moment more convivial, although a few friends don’t grasp the spirit of the place where they have to get up, help themself and let everyone help themselves. As long as it can remain that way, it's good - knowing that if it’s free for all those present, the exhibitors do participate.

I spent all morning with a Dutch television and a Dutch colleague and winemaker who owns a vineyard in St. Romain La Virvée: La Tulipe de la Garde. The subject: Garage Wine and Saint Emilion Grand Cru, I had a good time and my charismatic colleague had a special mug and asked questions with a very "French" flair.

In the evening, I met with a few journalists but no dinner plans, so went to bed early. I woke up well rested and was told by Christophe that the best notes from the Wine Spectator were posted on their site... I think that James Molesworth saw the qualities of this vintage without taking in consideration prices and the economic environment (Vieux Certan, Cheval Blanc, Clinet for example). Valandraud has usually been well noted by most critics, which is often the case in complicated vintages.
James Suckling gave 93-94, Jean Marc Quarin 92/100, Desseauve included Valandraud among the great wines and particularly liked Clos Saint Julien, Haut-Carles, Pressac and Faugères (Hurrah for Terre de Lisse!)