ESF

8.9

wowza - this was wild stuff: really cloudy, heavy, almost sludge-like, savory, hi alcohol - OK w/sushi & asian noodles — 3 months ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.5

A steal on auction
I wouldn’t consider it a 🥩 wine but great with charcuterie
Web info
Chateau Valandraud is represented by the passion of a couple: Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud. Following the great success with the wine merchant business in Saint Emilion, they opened their own vineyard to produce their own wine.
In 1989, they bought a small parcel of 0.6 hectare (1.48 acres) located in a small valley near Saint Emilion between Pavie-Macquin and La Clotte. The origin of the wine name is as much geographic (Val: Vallon de Fongaban), as sentimental (Andraud: Murielle’s maiden name). Thus Chateau Valandraud was born.
Little by little, Jean-Luc and his wife purchased several other parcels of vines, and now, the domain represents a total surface of 10 hectares (24.71 acres), located in various areas of Saint Emilion. The diversity of soils and varietals permit the production of 6 different wines: Chateau Valandraud, Chateau Valandraud Casher, Virginie de Valandraud and the 3 de Valandraud (the second wine of Chateau Valandraud and Virginie de Valandraud), Blanc de Valandraud N° 1 and N° 2.
The final blending of the various parcels occurs in the month of March, following a blind tasting with the help of the world famous oenologist, Michel Rolland. — 3 years ago

Amy Callihan

10

Smooth and bold Pinot . Kathryn Hall’s Pinot collection (Walt is her maiden name )-I’ve enjoyed all releases — 5 years ago

Alex Sopp

9.2

Austin: It arrives mid bubble on the tongue. - Alex: like massage balls for my nostalgia. I can smell my friends but I can’t see them. - Austin: I’m caught peeping at the maiden amidst her chores and sheepishly avert my eyes. - Alex: I do like pińa coladas and getting caught in the rain, thank you. - Austin: left with no shame only a sweet blush — 6 years ago

with Gabriel and Rob

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

One of my favorite small production wine, 300 cases. Cal Nicholson spent his youth in So. CA & after a long marketing career he hung up his spurs to follow his 2 real interests in life – surfing & wine making. Jones is the maiden name of Cal’s wife Pam. A wonderful wine. Aromas of lemon citrus with herb, stone & tropical fruits. Palate, peach, Granny Smith apple & ripe melon flavors with lively citrus zest wrapped in lbalanced acidity. Lingering finish ending with mineral citrus finish. Consistent! Nice! — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.6

POWER. Sweet, youthful Napa fruit. Different style than the 09 Maiden in the fact that this is a fruit forward expression of Napa cab, but has a lot of herbal character, hint of roasted pecan and chocolate with some caramel towards the middle and finish. I am really enjoying this wine, and I know that over the next few hours this one could even be a 97. This is the 'male' of Napa cab and I really am lucky to be able to experience this one today. — 8 years ago

with Dan, Keith and 2 others

Jay Kline

8.9

Opened just prior to dinner. The 2007 pours a dark ruby/garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining and loads of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of BBQ Lay’s potato chips (fight me), prunes, dried brambles, leather, organic earth and mixed spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. It doesn’t taste like BBQ Lay’s but the fruit is definitely more of the dried/desiccated side. The finish is medium. Drink now. — 5 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

I am a big fan of David Swift Phinney wines. In 1998 David founded Orin Swift Cellars; Orin is his father’s middle name and Swift is his mother’s maiden name. Aged 10 mos in French oak, 42% new, Ruby with complex aromas of fresh fruits, floral and herb spice, nice mouthfeel. On the palate flavors of raspberry and cherry with cacao and hints of pepper spice. Rich full chewy tannins, well balanced on long finish ending with fruit and earthy spice. — 4 years ago

Rob

9.0

Typically stay away from nigori, but got this one in a subscription box, so I paired it with spicy Chinese chicken. Perfect smoothness and hint of sweetness. This will make a fan of anyone who says they don’t like unfiltered sake. — 6 years ago

Blake Brown

9.7

This one was so sweet, but not too sweet! It was so refreshing and perfect after a meal. I usually tend to avoid white blends, but this one was delightful! — 6 years ago

Jennifer Ott

9.4

A great light and lovely rose. Plus, it's my maiden name — 7 years ago

Neal Krishna Devaraj

9.2

Smooth and floral with notes of honey. Celebrating our 4 year anniversary. — 8 years ago

S.S. Mandani

9.1

This wine’s bouquet brings to the fore memories of the sea. Once I take a sip, I picture a tapas restaurant with mahogany paneling, ambience lighting, and linen tablecloths.

At first taste, well-balanced. Perfect rich and tart berry flavors with a hint of natural vanilla and oak. Not too tannic and light & bouncy on the tongue. For me, I would love this with whitefish ceviche, tacos, and/or pasta.

Versatile and affordable.

Reminds me of a platitude I live by in terms of wine (and life), “If it tastes good, drink it.” I can still hear Larry, the spectacled, fourth generational New Yorker yell from behind the counter, bottles stacked on cardboard boxes, of his boutique downtown wine shop on Maiden Lane.

$6.99 — Trader Joe’s — 8 years ago

Jan A

9.5

Maiden vintage, paired with lobster and truffle — 8 months ago

Stuart Pollack

9.1

Good Provençal style Rosé. Crisp and light. Not as good as the top French Rosés but certainly a good Rosé. — 2 years ago

Roy Goble

9.1

Enjoyable wine at this price point — 4 years ago

Eric Ford

9.4

Very good, smooth, no harsh tannins. Cab Sauvignon, not Cab Franc. 19 barrels made. Would buy again, was $40 on Last Bottle. — 5 years ago

with Jill

Cathy Fay

9.0

This bold red is delicious. It pairs nicely with some pepperoni pizza. It makes me not want to eat my peas...but that could also be a lack of sleep. I feel this would also be a nice accompaniment to my All Dressed chips. Great impulse buy bc my half-brothers mother’s maiden name is Karas. — 6 years ago

with Brannon

Chris Harvey

9.2

Been holding this one for 8 years. Worth the wait! Maiden voyage with the Coravin. — 6 years ago

Bill Bender

9.4

A luxurious treat of orange rind and cranberry, clove and cedar. Picked me back up after the Maiden. The betta was in to it and I got my date to watch one of my favorite movies—Almost Famous—with minimal chatter and no falling asleep. Success all around. — 7 years ago