Andrew Jefford | Saturatedly deep black-purple. Ripe, rich, plummy fruits, very sweet and lifted, with further oak sweetening. Too much? Perhaps so in this vintage, which seems to have surprised everyone by not supplying fruit quite as forceful and dense as the summer conditions suggested. Nonetheless, fans of Valandraud know they are always in for a “luxury wine experience” and it doesn’t disappoint aromatically, as there is lots of spice and chocolate behind the prominent oak. The palate is rich, sweet, and long, but for me here frankly too oaky, as that oak rather suffocates what seems already to be notably sweet fruit. There is ample acidity, but the oak has the upper hand, and the effect in the end in combination with the prolific tannins is rather drying in this vintage. (The higher the natural acidity, the more one needs to beware of oak.) If you want a “big” wine from this less-than-big vintage, though, Valandraud may hit your target. | 89

Michael Schuster | Ripe-fruited and heady to smell; concentrated, full-bodied, and firmly tannic, a powerful, long-term balance; deep, sweetly ripe flavor, complex, close-knit, succulently fruity and aromatic wine, with a fine, long aftertaste. Imposing, impressive. Though how easy it will be to drink at table, as with many of these 2015s, I’m less sure. If you like the power, this will certainly please you! 2030–45+. | 94