Chateau Valandraud 2002

WINE SPECTATOR: "A beautiful and focused red with blackberry and light toasted oak. Very vibrant on the nose. Full-bodied, with silky and refined tannins with complex flavors of berries, sweet tobacco and black olives. Lovely wine. Jean-Luc Thunevin put a lot of sweat into his wine."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Tasted blind at the Valandraud vertical at the property, the 2002 Valandraud has a slightly foursquare bouquet at first, but it seems to gain focus and precision in the glass, a mixture of red and black fruit, orange zest and crushed violet, the latter becoming more prominent as it opens up. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. It feels quite dense in the mouth, not as complex as the 2001 Valandraud, but it is cohesive and caressing, gently unfolding with white pepper and sage on the abrupt finish. Not bad for the vintage, even though it has lost some of its pizzazz."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "This earthy, plum and dark cherry wine is a success for the vintage. Soft on the palate and already showing well, this is a wine to drink on the young side."