Visit

Last Tuesday, we received a group of Americans accompanied by one of the first clients of Valandraud (1992) and based in New York.

 

We tasted our wines from the Roussillon at L’Essentiel: Constance, Dentelles, Hugo 2008 and L’Amourette 2009, and a few Bordeaux Domaine Virginie Thunevin 2009 and Virginie de Valandraud 2009 –great wine.

 

We then had lunch at home with 8 guests: tomatoes from the garden of Murielle’s parents and Pata Negra given to us by a friend paired with Valandraud 2005 and Kosher Valandraud 2005, finer, softer.

 

Following, paired with a perfectly cooked leg of lamb and fresh vegetable gratin, Valandraud 2009 which prompted one of the guests to say “that’s a wine!”. Red fruit and coffee to finish, then visit of our vineyards (red and white) of Valandraud. We passed in front of our famous neighbors: Fleur Cardinale, Rol Valentin, Pressac, Faugères and Peby Faugères. We then visited our Maison d’Hôtes and the cellar, then went to the warehouse in Saint Magne de Castillon.

 

I think our friends were happy with this little tour, especially since we took the time to stop in the beautiful caves of Chateau Ferrand.

 

Valandraud classified

On my Facebook page, nearly 400 people have "liked" it and nearly 150 have commented favorably on our new status.

 

Reading media sites, blogs, I found a lot of positive comments, a small number quite negative, almost insignificant amount, but useful to me because if my wines and I pleased everyone, it would mean that we would have become old and I am not ready for that yet!

 

I received a lot of texting on my cell phone, emails at my office and of course congratulations on the street, at home and on the phone. My thoughts go to all those who helped us and God knows how many: Boussarie, Lebailly, Lelièvre, Rolland, Alain… and many more, colleagues today, consultants, enologists, employees, friends. One even told me that I had finally resolved my existentialist anxieties: Valandraud engraved in a marble plaque, is that an analogy, humor shared by the passing of time, in any case, a friendly message.

 

What a story!

What a story! Valandraud promoted to 1er Grand Cru Classe B starting with the 2012 vintage. In other words starting with this harvest which will begin in less than 30 days. It’s a dream come true, today, fiction became reality. The nicknames given to Valandraud like “garage wine” and especially “Cinderella Wine” for my Japanese friends. Well, it is time to begin a new adventure, without forgetting the past. The future should be more pleasant.

We are fortunate to be in Saint Emilion where this is possible! I praise the people responsible for the classification, INAO, commission, regulators, and ministers, those who created this revisable classification in 1955. Perhaps the famous 1855 left bank classification will envy us.

I received a lot of messages of friendship, congratulations from friends, buddies, relationships, journalists, critics and even bankers. The newspaper Le Sud Ouest published a very nice article, as well as AFP, les Echos, le Nouvel Observateur, Challenges, Le Point, regional newspapers, Libération, L’Express, Capital, le Figaro, 20 minutes, radio stations and of course Decanter, Wine Spectator, blogs... and tomorrow Le Monde. Thank you Saint Emilion.

The cellars (a hot topic for the press)

For some time, several Chateaux in Saint-Emilion have done a tremendous amount of construction and are now catching up on the Médoc, Rioja, Napa Valley.

Some of the cellars are already done and active, among them the most ambitious: Cheval Blanc, designed by Mr Portzamparc as well as a series of great achievements including the beautiful, and original, Chateau Faugères, signed by Botta. The most visited cellar today is, I think, Soutard, where agro tourism has been at the heart of the process, and Villemaurine with its active underground caves?

Fonplégade is equally successful, as well as the harmonious Troplong Mondot, Fleur Cardinale very discreet, Sansonnet with a perfect cellar, Barde Haut contemporary and original, and there are more just as successful.

Some are still under construction: Angelus as well as Pavie both rebuilding their cellars. I wonder when I drink their wine, what they will improve considering the “top” level they already have. La Dominique, with the talent of Nouvel, and probably other projects that are added to what was or is already taking place in Pomerol (Pétrus, Le Pin, La Conseillante, Petit Village, Le Gay, etc...), even in the greatly forgotten area of Fronsac, with La Dauphine, La Riviere, Carles...

If you do not like wine, you will still be able to appreciate these works of art and the owners’ different philosophies regarding their own wines, technology and the image they want to communicate.

Fongaban

The fountain-washhouse in the valley of Fongaban is under renovation. I thank the mayor and the association for saving this witness of the past badly damaged by time, for, I’ve seen this fountain gradually deteriorating since 1988 when I arrived. Its old tree, a poplar, burned and even the spring is partially dried.

I hope the work will be well done, so it becomes a stopping point for hikers and families from the town walking with their children and dogs between the gardens and the vineyards. Again, this is a nice window on the social life of our little community, as the word city seems to me disproportionate for less than 200 inhabitants live within the village.

Bad run, bad karma... and then hope

These days, there’s been a good deal of problems, accidents, illnesses, in my personal life or the office and every time, the notorious hypochondriac that I am has not been able to respond except by eluding them and escape in my work. I never know how, or even want, to react to these problems like an adult, and it's not now it will change because the older you get, problems are more numerous and my inability to respond is becoming more blatant.

Meanwhile, what is certain is that after this dark series, it will be all good news, weddings, births and healings. It has to be.

Ecotourism

In addition to our 3 stores selling wine in Saint Emilion, we opened for the public for 2 months our historic cellar of Valandraud in the village, next to the restaurant Clos du Roy.

Also, Murielle’s apartments in Valandraud in Saint Etienne de Lisse keep Florence Bordat busy developing this new activity focused on wine tourism.

It is true that the pretty town of Saint Emilion is a great place to spend a few days sightseeing, visit chateaux, taste wine and macaroons, travel through a beautiful countryside and visit the Dordogne region or the Bay of Arcachon.

"I am proud of Dominique!"

It was the painter Monique Lauret Renard’s heartfelt comment to her husband, following Jacky Terrasson’s incredible concert. I recommend checking out her paintings of the Jurade.

Well Monique, we are also all proud of Dominique Renard’s time in Saint Emilion. These 4 days included international stars, I even knew: Earth Wind and Fire Experience, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jacky Terrasson, Opus Jam (who stayed at Valandraud), etc… (Check the program) as well as more “elitist” artist. This showed that this 1^st festival wants to become a reference considering its programming, with a blend of styles, music and audience. Including such popular artist like Earth Wind and Fire Experience who I used to play at the Takouk, the night-club I used to work at as a DJ on Saturdays and holidays during the 70s!

Included were well-known and popular artists as well as lesser known attracting purist jazz lovers. Performances were held in several venues, including the church which was packed (this will give ideas to the parish priest to fill his church ... He should ask the group Opus Jam to sing a few Sundays before mass ...)

All my friends loved it; this 1^st festival will be hard to match, for it is up to par to those organized by a city the size of Bordeaux. Let me remind you that the commune of Saint Emilion has less than 3000 inhabitants and that less than 200 live in town! Some photos and links are available, but nothing expressing the noise and passion of the 1500 people in ecstasy in the moat of the Palais Cardinal, full of young and older audiences. There are no big concert-halls in Saint Emilion, so an outdoor venue is necessary, and these moats do the job, especially when the nice weather is contributing.

I have the feeling that Saint Emilion just moved up a gear, so, I am looking forward to next year!

All that jazz

The 1^st Saint Emilion Jazz festival started on Thursday with prestigious sponsors: Robert Parker and Tommy LiPuma (who actually is fan of Château Bel Air Ouÿ 2000).

4 days of concerts, 16 concerts, 65 musicians, many technicians and volunteers, and groups showing their enthusiasms to play throughout the village.

Fireworks on Sunday at 23 hours after the concert of Earth Wind and Fire Experience.

Quizz

Who is it?

What is it?

Holiday rentals

We have now 3 additional studios to rent in the center of Saint Emilion. Our agro-tourism venture is moving forward, with two more student rooms, located in the village.

Our rental activity at Valandraud, in Saint Etienne de Lisse, is growing and starting to become serious. We just hired Florence Bordat who can be contacted via email at: valandraudlocation@thunevin.com and we are also listed on the site of the Tourist Office, in the online booking section...

Once business starts to be active, we will also offer the apartments in Maury in the Roussillon.

New York’s chapter of the Commanderie de Bordeaux

Lunch for 13, my lucky number, at Valandraud, with some of the members of this famous branch of the Commanderie de Bordeaux and the opportunity to have a good meal with Bad Girl, Valandraud Blanc 2010, then, blind Valandraud red 2005 and 2005 kosher.

The "classic" Valandraud being much more powerful and tasting younger than the kosher which was softer and more mature. Most likely due to the difference of work done with the grapes during vinification. After, Thunevin-Calvet Hugo 2005 and our Maury 2004.

Previously, they tasted our 2011, along with Niko Dukan and his friends journalists. Later, it will be the turn of friends from Hong Kong who are in banking and the wine industry.

2012 Saint Emilion classification

In the supplement of the Journal du Dimanche, 24 June, Bettane and Desseauve wrote an article on the best wines in 2011 and Saint Emilion’s classification. Considering the article written in L'Express’s wine Special, these two journalists are not afraid to express their views before publication of results in September / October 2012.

Mr Jean Louis Buer, director of the INAO, also answered Vitisphère’s questions on Saint Emilion’s Grand Crus classification. In addition, on the website of Nicolas de Rouyn, Thierry Desseauve gives his opinion as well as Francois Mauss on the site of the European Grand Jury. In fact, there are very few articles written about the event of the year in the world of wine from Saint Emilion and its 5500 hectares (with the 1^st Jazz Festival July 19 to 22).

It is probably difficult and courageous to give ones opinion on probable, or improbable, properties promoted or downgraded. What is certain is that the number of newly promoted announced seems rather high, but this is only speculative. As for me, I just hope that this classification will reward "good" properties (the bad ones will be judged by the market...)

And also...

I will be soon leaving for Osaka, Japan on July 3 and 4, then Tokyo July 4/5/6 and Hong Kong on July 7/8 for futures tastings organized by one of my Japanese distributors and two retailers in Hong Kong.

At noon last Monday, I had lunch at La Puce for Pierrot's birthday, 76 years old. It was a family lunch and the opportunity to see La Puce again who is now 90 years old and still full of energy and likes to tell stories to die... of laughter!

Le Figaro

Thank you Frederic Durand-Bazin for the article published on June 24 in the Figaro.fr - opinion on wine, about five wine routes, where Chateau Valandraud is mentioned on the right bank of Bordeaux. It even specifies the properties I consult for: such as Fleur Cardinale; and also mentions L’Essentiel, one of our stores in Saint Emilion.

Thank you again for agro tourism is one of the points addressed by the rules of the new classification of St. Emilion Grand Cru, but the selection will be done in about 15 days...

5 stars

Valandraud classified.... in furnished holiday rental!

Our guest house, Chateau Valandraud we rent as a furnished holiday rental just received five stars by the certification body ICH following our application. This certification is good for five years (same as hotels that can be classified from 0 to 5 stars)

Pomerol

The Spring Festival organized by the Hospitaliers de Pomerol and the Winegrowers' Association of Pomerol, held June 9, 2012 was a real success. The highlights were the parade of the members of Hospitaliers where I co-represented the Jurade de Saint Emilion and the Mass held in Pomerol’s Church with its nice priest and the mezzo soprano Sophie Pondjielis, whose sublime voice filled the church and her talent transported us, truly sublime.

Then, the induction of new members took place in Château La Croix, done with simplicity and the dinner hosted by Eric Le Collen, was put together by Jean Guy Humblot with the help of Michel Guerard.

Here is the menu. The wines highlighted are those served at our table, plus a few bottles served on other tables.



It was the first time that Clos du Beau Pere was served in this kind of event. I enjoyed La Fleur Pétrus 1998 and La Conseillante 2005; not difficult share the best with my friends in this convivial atmosphere, almost Burgundian!

It is true that the 1st information we received on the classification of St. Emilion is favorable to my friends, in fact, this Sunday, we continued with Compassant 2004, Clos Badon Thunevin 2008 (the 2006 will be served at the next meal of the Jurade Saint Emilion), Fleur Morange 2009 and especially a really great bottle, the last one I have, alas, Petrus 1982, which was simply a masterpiece, served blind - which I don’t recommend with rare and expensive wines. The cork which was impossible to take out, except in 1000 pieces, gave me cold sweats and despite the fight with this cork glued to the neck, the wine was simply grandiose. I must say that the bottle was kept in a very good cellar, and had only traveled for a short trip less than 10 km to end up in my cellar several years ago. Such important bottles are rare and opening this one meant that we received good news, which made this experience even more enjoyable.

Valandraud blanc: Thank you Mister Fakorellis

These days, we often receive compliments and orders from restaurants for Virginie and Valandraud whites. This makes us happy and we are proud that our friend Athanasius Fakorellis has been helping us. In his youth, he worked as enologist in Burgundy with a few famous properties such as Lafont, Clerc, Sauzet, Moret, to name only famous whites.

Murielle and I are strongly influenced by great Burgundy whites and we think that we created, through our hard work, a synthesis between white Bordeaux and Burgundies. Some of the American or French critics love our white; others are totally allergic to it! It is certainly hard to please everyone, but for vines planted in 2000 I'm really proud of our achievement!

2011 Futures and Saint Emilion classification

In all the supplements of the top French newspapers, comments were quite good for my wines and those I consult for.

In the magazine Le Point but especially Le Monde, the team from the RVF wrote in the Chinese edition, which is starting to be important (100,000 copies), and particularly an article written by Bettane & Desseauve in the supplement of L’Espress which deals with the next classification of Saint Emilion, properties to promote, demote, etc…

A brave effort considering the results are due to be released soon and, with no doubt, the polemic it will generate.

Vinexpo Hong Kong

I will soon be in Hong Kong for Vinexpo Asia-Pacific, at the Hong Kong Convention Centre stand J49, with some of my employees and to meet some of our clients, a few prospects and be productive.

In the meantime and while waiting for the end of the futures campaign and the last releases, we tasted this morning Compassant 2004, Constance 2008 Thunevin-Calvet, Dentelles 2007 Thunevin- Calvet and Griffe de Cap d’Or 2011.

I am glad that our Franco-American friend liked them!