Tasted blind at the Valandraud vertical at the property, the 2008 Valandraud is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc matured in new oak for 24 months. It put in a quite brilliant performance (here paired against the 2008 Trotanoy). It has a boisterous, bravura of a nose with outstanding vigor and clarity: red cherries and boysenberry fruit, graphite and traces of wet limestone. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, beautiful pure black cherry and raspberry fruit with a faint touch of orange sorbet. Seamless in texture with a refined and silky smooth finish, this is drinking beautifully now but will clearly age for another two decades. This is outstanding for the vintage. Tasted December 2016.

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

Deep, dark colour. Pure, expressive fruit. Dense, ripe but balanced with firm but fine, fresh tannins on the finish. Concentrated but harmonious. Drink 2015-2025. (17.5 points)