(96-98 points) Murielle Andraud has been in charge of the wine making at the property since 2007. Each vintage has shown marked improvements over the previous year. 2010 is no exception. She is clearly on a roll! With a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc the wine reached 14.5% alcohol. Coupled with a low pH of 3.55 the wine feels bright and fresh with no sensation of heat. Displaying an intense inky black purple hue the powerful perfume jumps from the glass with complex aromas of stone licorice dark berries truffle and oak. This dense rich concentrated wine is filled with sexy ripe fruit that stains your palate. Sweet boysenberry blue fruit and licorice are sensed in the long fresh harmonious sweet ripe finish. This is most compelling wine I've tasted from Valandraud yet!

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Valandraud comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant blueberry compote, Black Forest cake and plum preserves notions, plus hints of underbrush, camphor and licorice. Full-bodied, rich and seductive, it has a gorgeous velvety texture and great freshness supporting the decadent fruit through the long, energetic finish.- LPB

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. Jean-Luc Thunevin has hit the ball out of the park with the 2010 Valandraud. It has an alluring, beautifully defined bouquet with mineral rich black and red fruit,: great tension, poise and focus. The palate is well balanced and succulent in the mouth with extremely well judged acidity. Somehow understated at first, but complex and sophisticated, the Valandraud is beautifully focused with a long tender finish with perfect equilibrium between dryness and sweetness. Tasted January 2014.

The 2010 Valandraud has a well-defined bouquet, the fruit slightly darker than its peers, quite mineral-driven and precise. This feels very lively and energetic. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, plenty of black fruit laced with tar and black pepper. This is a superb Right Bank with class and pedigree. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. -- Neal Martin

This is gorgeous, with ample mocha and licorice notes that are well-embedded into the core of lushly ripe and beguiling boysenberry, blackberry and loganberry fruit. The long finish is filled with black tea, singed spice and fruitcake, with captivating mouthfeel and superb length, as a singed apple wood note echoes at the very end. Displays the fruit and power of the vintage, but harnesses it at the same time. Best from 2015 through 2030. – JM