2024 Château Valandraud Virginie de Valandraud Bordeaux Blanc

The 2024 Virginie de Valandraud Bordeaux Blanc is the white calling card of Jean-Luc Thunevin's famous Château Valandraud. This wine combines the precision and freshness of the cool 2024 vintage with a surprising richness and texture. The result is a Bordeaux Blanc that offers both immediate charm and possesses sufficient complexity to develop further for several years.

Château Valandraud and its white wine

Château Valandraud is one of the most influential wineries in Saint-Émilion. Jean-Luc Thunevin gained international fame as a pioneer of the so-called 'garagiste' movement, in which small plots, low yields, and extreme attention to detail were central.

Although Valandraud is primarily known for its iconic red wines, the estate also produces a small quantity of high-quality white Bordeaux. Virginie de Valandraud Blanc is made with the same precision and ambition as the red wines and has become one of the established benchmarks within Bordeaux Blanc.

For more information about Château Valandraud, please refer to the Winery tab.

A fresh and energetic vintage

The 2024 vintage was characterized by a relatively cool growing season, resulting in wines with striking freshness, tension, and aromatic precision. This proved particularly favorable for white Bordeaux, as the grapes were able to retain their natural acidity exceptionally well.

For Virginie de Valandraud Blanc, limited malolactic fermentation was applied for the first time to a portion of the Sémillon. This gave the wine extra texture and roundness without losing its freshness. It is precisely this combination of tension and softness that makes the 2024 particularly attractive.

Scent, taste and character

On the nose, the wine opens with refined aromas of mandarin peel, lime, gooseberry, and grapefruit. Behind these, nuances of chamomile, white flowers, and subtle tropical accents emerge, providing extra depth.

As the wine develops further in the glass, notes of marzipan, ripe citrus, and light spiciness emerge. The aromatic expression remains fresh and precise without becoming excessively exotic.

On the palate, the wine immediately reveals its energy. The lively acidity provides tension and precision, while the Sémillon creates a creamy texture that contrasts beautifully with the fresh citrus notes.

Flavors of gooseberry, guava, citrus cream, and subtle mineral nuances blend seamlessly. The wine feels simultaneously rich and crisp, a combination typical of the best white Bordeaux.

The finish is long, refreshing, and energetic, with persistent notes of citrus, flowers, and minerality.

Professional reviews

The 2024 Virginie de Valandraud Blanc was excellently received by international wine critics.

Vinous: 92-94 points
The wine is praised for its combination of tension and textural richness. Aromas of mandarin peel, marzipan, chamomile, and dried flowers are supported by an impressive balance.

James Suckling: 93 points
According to Suckling, the wine is characterized by its bright, almost electric acidity, combined with notes of cream, gooseberry, and tropical fruit. The long and energetic finish makes a great impression.