Plenty of toasty oak and extract here. This has immensely concentrated fruits with powerful yet silky tannins. Blackberry and dark-plum aromas dominate the nose with hints of dark chocolate and candied orange. Flavors follow suit amid fluid, muscular tannins that hold long into the finish. Great wine.

The 2015 Valandraud is medium to deep garnet colored. It prances out with flamboyant notes of plum pudding, blackberry preserves, mocha, and violets, plus suggestions of cracked black pepper and licorice. Big, concentrated, and full-bodied, the fruit is still very youthful and there is a little oak poking through, delivering firm, chewy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and opulent. (LPB)

The 2015 Valandraud is blessed with a stunning, brilliantly defined and focused bouquet, quite penetrating in style yet so young and primal. This is all about potential. The palate is supremely well balanced with perfectly assimilated oak, satin-like in texture with wonderful precision and length. About as good as it gets. Class, class, class. Jean-Luc hits the ball out of the park. (NM)