Monolope Ex

The 2008 Valandraud's dense ruby/purple hue is followed by beautiful aromas of charcoal, toasty oak, blackberries, and cassis. It is a full-bodied effort displaying powerful, dense, ripe, velvety tannins, a textured mouthfeel, and a backward but promising personality. This 2008 should evolve for twenty years or more.

Deep ruby with inky highlights. Brooding aromas of blackberry, coffee and dark chocolate are nicely lifted by hints of spice and graphite. Enters the mouth ripe and creamy, then turns a little austere in the middle, with plum and blackberry flavors currently dominated by bright acidity. Finishes fairly long, with a lovely floral nuance. Based on this early showing, I find less quality difference between this flagship wine and its stablemates Trois de Valandraud and Virginie de Valandraud than usual.

What a nose of crushed currants and blackberries. Full body, with fine and well integrated tannins and a fruity, minerally aftertaste. Balanced and refined. Give it time to open. Best after 2013.

93-95 Barrel sample. Now in the mainstream of top Saint-Emilion wines, the former garage wine is packed with rich, juicy fruit. The acidity is a waft over the firm tannins. There is certainly plenty of new wood, but the opulent fruit balances well.

This is sleek, with delicious raspberry and boysenberry fruit, lots of alluring spice and black tea notes, and a long, polished finish. Delicious. Drink now through 2015. 1,000 cases made. -JM